New Delhi [India], July 20 – Indian environmentalist and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk ended his 23-day hunger strike on Monday after Union Health Minister JP Nadda met protesting demonstrators, bringing an end to a high-profile campaign demanding greater accountability in the country’s education system.
Wangchuk had been admitted to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital on July 18 after his health deteriorated during the indefinite fast. Doctors had raised concerns over dehydration, low potassium levels and increasing ketone levels.
His protest had focused on alleged failures in the education system including examination paper leaks and called for greater political accountability. On Sunday Wangchuk said he would end the fast only if the central government accepted responsibility for the issues or if members of Parliament assured him that the matter would be raised during the Monsoon Session which began on Monday.
Separately Abhijeet Dipke founder of the Cockroach Janta Party also ended his indefinite hunger strike on Monday. Dipke had begun fasting on July 18 after Wangchuk was taken to hospital. He withdrew his protest following an appeal from Wangchuk and after being persuaded by the father of a NEET aspirant who allegedly died by suicide.
Despite ending their fasts both campaigners indicated that the broader movement for education reforms would continue.
Earlier in the day, thousands of students youth groups and supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar before marching towards Parliament as part of the “Chalo Sansad” protest. Authorities deployed additional security across central New Delhi to manage the demonstration and maintain public order as Parliament’s Monsoon session commenced.
