When Sonam Wangchuk's Father Went On A Hunger Strike And Indira Gandhi Stepped In: A Look Back At History

On Saturday morning in Delhi's Jantar Mantar, the Delhi police forcefully shifted Sonam Wangchuk to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital after his health reportedly deteriorated during his indefinite hunger strike.

The morning at Jantar Mantar went dramatic as the police forming a human chain around Wangchuk and then covering him with white bedsheet was taken to the hospital and the video of that moment is going viral.

However the Delhi police said that the move was based on medical advice and directions of the Delhi High Court, organisers alleged that he was removed against his will.

🚨Delhi Police has picked up Sonam Wangchuk forcefully! WATCH! pic.twitter.com/AlSSRf77vS

— Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) July 18, 2026

Well if this act to forcefully take Sonam to the hospital against his will from the protest site is right or wrong - that is a debatable question, but this hunger strike has scratched the memories of another hunger strike from more than four decades ago, that was led by Sonam Wangchuk's father - Sonam Wangyal. His protest played a significant role in Ladakh's political history.

#WATCH | Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was sitting on a hunger strike from last 20 days at Jantar Mantar, taken to the hospital by the police.

More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/81DTO3cyh4

— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2026

Sonam Wangchuk Hospitalised After 21-Day Hunger Strike

One must know that it is after 21 days of hunger strike - the Delhi police officials took him to the hospital over his health concerns. Wangchuk's demand is related to the alleged examination irregularities, education reforms and the accountability in the NEET paper leak issue.

#WATCH | DCP New Delhi, Sachin Sharma says, "In accordance with the Honorable High Courts order and considering his health condition and expert medical advice, Mr Sonam Wangchuk has been shifted from here to a government hospital for treatment; there has been absolutely no… pic.twitter.com/1iCx2xEecB

— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2026

The Delhi police is maintaining the stance that the decision was taken to ensure his safety while those supporting Wangchuk claimed he was forcibly removed from the protest venue.

Delhi police have forcefully taken Sonam Wangchuk sir to unknown location. pic.twitter.com/Gn0ytvrHwe

— Cockroach is Back (@Cockroachisback) July 18, 2026

His Father's Protest Shaped Ladakh's Future

Taking the readers the past - in 1984, Sonam Wangchuk's father, Sonam Wangyal, also went on a hunger strike but it was for a different cause.

Wangyal's demand through his protest was Schedules Tribe (ST) recognition for Ladakh's tribal communities. That time the people in the region were seeking greater representation and safeguards for their Unique culture and identity. He fasted for 16 days.

His protest became one of the defining moments in Ladakh's political movement.

Who Was Sonam Wangyal?

Sonam Wangyal was born in a family, where he became one of India's celebrated mountaineers. In 1965, at the age of 23, he turned out to be one of the youngest climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Further, as he entered public life, he served as a member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council, MLA and minister. He became a voice demanding constitutional safeguards for Ladakh.

The Demand That Changed History

The hunger strike in 1984 was not something that can be ignored, it drew national attention, including that of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who visited Leh during the movement. Yes! The demands were not accepted immediately but there was a dialogue.
It was five years later in 1989- the constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Schedules Tribes Order officially recognised eight tribal communities that included- Balti, Brokpa, Changpa, Bot/Boto and others.

Hence, this marked a major political milestone for Ladakh and fulfilled one of the key demands that Sonam Wangyal had fought for.

Father and Son, Different Causes but Same Path

The legacy to fight for truth is on. More than 40 years later, Sonam Wangchuk has also chosen a hunger strike as a form of a peaceful protest. One must know that this is not the first time when he sat on a hunger strike, he has earlier staged fasts over issues related to Ladakh, including statehood, sixth schedule protection and others.

However this time he joined the protest highlighting alleged irregularities in competitive examinations- including NEET followed by the death of 20-22 candidates committing suicide. This follows the demand of the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and reforms to India's examination system.

VIDEO | Activist Sonam Wangchuks wife Gitanjali Angmo on Delhi Police shifting Sonam Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital on 21st day of hunger strike says, "Sonam Wangchuk was brought here from the Jantar Mantar site without informing him or without informing me. Just yesterday… pic.twitter.com/sxIkvu4qbF

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 18, 2026

The protest has received support from several actors, filmmakers, educators and social activists.

Opinion

Many people argue that paper leaks and exam cancellations also happened during the Congress government, so why weren't there protests then? But perhaps that misses the bigger point. The real question is not whether such incidents happened before, but whether we are willing to listen when a 59-year-old scientist and education reformer is risking his health to demand accountability today.

In a democracy, protests are not about supporting or opposing one political party-they are about asking those in power to respond to public concerns. If every present-day issue is dismissed by pointing to mistakes of the past, meaningful reform may never happen.