Activist Sonam Wangchuk said on Monday that he would continue his hunger strike, now in its 23rd day, until youth leaders are allowed to meet with MPs or parliamentarians can visit him in hospital.
In a handwritten note shared on Instagram from Safdarjung Hospital, Wangchuk expressed regret that peaceful protesters were being treated “brutally” and appealed to the government and police to facilitate dialogue. He commented on the post: “Day No. 23, I will continue my fast…”
The Cockroach Janta Party’s Chalo Sansad rally on the opening day of the monsoon session saw thousands of people from different walks of life trying to march towards Parliament before facing police action.
“Given the brutality with which the peacefully protesting youth are being dealt with, I have decided to continue my fast until the youth leaders are allowed to meet the parliamentarians at Sansad Bhawan or I am allowed to meet them here at the hospital. We hope the government will reform the accountability of the Education Minister before that (sic),” Wangchuk’s note on Instagram read.
Wangchuk said he was “moved and touched” by the restraint shown by the protesters despite what he described as provocations. “…I appeal to the government and the police to resolve the issue by allowing the students to lodge their grievances before Parliament today or tomorrow. I am sure the young protesters will show the same patience and tolerance tomorrow as they did today,” he said.
Earlier, Wangchuk had posted on social media that he would end his hunger strike by setting three conditions.
“Dear friends and supporters, many of you have asked when I will end my fast. As we previously mentioned to my supporters, I will end my fast on July 20, if…” Wangchuk wrote in a message.
He said he would end the fast if “the government takes responsibility for the recent failures in the education system – paper leaks, etc.” or “if the AKP leadership reaches the doorstep of Parliament as the esteemed MPs and leaders of various parties have assured us that the issue will now be raised in Parliament.”
Police removed Wangchuk, who had been on an indefinite fast for more than 20 days at Jantar Mantar, from the protest site and transferred him to Safdarjung Hospital early on Saturday. The police said the move was in line with the directions issued by the Delhi High Court.
