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Sonam Wangchuk Calls 26-Day Hunger Strike Small Sacrifice
Sonam Wangchuk held a hunger strike for 26 days to seek changes in examinations and education.
He lost about 11 kilograms during the fast.
He said his body is still recovering and that he has new health problems.
Even so, he called the sacrifice small if it helps students.
Wangchuk also attended a meeting about giving Ladakh an elected body.
He said the meeting repeated an earlier government decision and offered nothing new.
Ladakh groups want an assurance that important changes will not happen before elected representatives are in place.
They said they may seek wider public support if that assurance is not given.
The groups also announced a march in September.
Sonam Wangchuk said his 26-day hunger strike caused lasting health problems but was a small sacrifice.
He began the fast on June 28 over alleged examination irregularities and education-system reforms.
Wangchuk said a meeting on Ladakh offered no new proposals beyond the May 22 decision.
The delegation requested an assurance within a week that no significant changes would occur before elected representation.
The Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance announced a padyatra from September 19 to 24.
- Who
- Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, members of the Leh Apex Body, and the Kargil Democratic Alliance.
- What
- Wangchuk discussed his recovery from a 26-day hunger strike and criticized a meeting on elected representation for Ladakh.
- Where
- The meeting concerned Ladakh; Wangchuk’s hunger strike took place at Jantar Mantar.
- When
- Wangchuk made the remarks on Thursday; his hunger strike ran from June 28 to July 24, and the announced padyatra is scheduled for September 19-24.
- Why
- The hunger strike sought accountability over alleged competitive-examination irregularities and education reforms, while the Ladakh delegation seeks an elected body and assurances against significant changes before it is established.
Wangchuk and Ladakh Groups
Government Meeting Position
Elected representation
Wangchuk and Ladakh Groups
Wangchuk and the Ladakh groups are seeking an elected body for the Union Territory and an assurance before it is put in place.
Government Meeting Position
The meeting reportedly repeated the May 22 decision; the article does not report a new commitment on an elected body.
Response to the meeting
Wangchuk and Ladakh Groups
Wangchuk said the delegation was disappointed because it received nothing new after waiting four months.
Government Meeting Position
The government held the meeting and presented material on the May 22 decision, but its position beyond that presentation is not detailed in the article.
Next steps
Wangchuk and Ladakh Groups
The groups announced a September padyatra and may seek national public support if an assurance is not received within a week.
Government Meeting Position
The article does not report a government response to the planned padyatra or the requested deadline.
Key facts
- Hunger strike duration
- 26 days
- Hunger strike dates
- June 28 to July 24
- Reported weight loss
- About 11 kilograms
- Health effects
- Wangchuk reported incomplete recovery, new allergies, and knee problems.
- Meeting assessment
- He said the meeting repeated a May 22 decision and offered nothing new.
- Requested assurance
- Within one week, that no significant changes would occur in Ladakh before an elected body is established.
- Padyatra dates
- September 19 to 24
Quotes
Sonam Wangchuk
Climate activist and participant in the education-system agitation
“I am okay with that (hunger strike) as long as there are so many people whose lives will hopefully be easier in the examinations like NEET, and the education system improving. So, it's a very small sacrifice. I am getting better, getting ready for the next.”
telegraphindia.com
“We are disappointed because this meeting was happening after four months. So many people from Ladakh came all the way, and there was nothing new to take back. It was all repeated PowerPoint about the May 22 decision.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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