Archive · 19 Jul 2026
Sonam Wangchuk's Hunger Strike for Education Reforms
Sonam Wangchuk, a well-known activist, has been on a hunger strike for 20 days to demand changes in the education system and the resignation of the Education Minister.
He was recently removed by the police from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
The Delhi High Court ordered his hospitalization due to his deteriorating health.
Hunger strikes are a powerful form of protest where people refuse to eat to draw attention to their cause.
This method has been used by many historical figures to awaken the conscience of those in power.
The protest aims to highlight the suffering of students and demand changes in the education system.
The government, however, views such protests as disruptive and does not see them as a reason to change policies or resign.
The hunger strike transforms the protester's body into an argument, hoping that others will acknowledge their suffering and respond.
Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for 20 days to demand reforms in the examination system and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
He was removed by Delhi Police from the protest site at Jantar Mantar, prompting questions about the government's motives.
The Delhi High Court ordered his hospitalization due to his deteriorating health, stating that 'life is precious'.
Hunger strikes have historically been a powerful form of protest in India, used by figures like Gandhi and Irom Sharmila.
The effectiveness of hunger strikes in the modern age is debated, as food abundance makes it harder for people to comprehend the protest's impact.
- Who
- Sonam Wangchuk and student protesters
- What
- Hunger strike demanding reforms in the examination system and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
- When
- 20 days ago, with recent police intervention and court-ordered hospitalization
- Where
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Why
- To protest against the examination system and the Education Minister, using the moral authority of a hunger strike
- Protester
- Sonam Wangchuk
- Location
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Duration
- 20 days
- Demands
- Reforms in examination system and resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
- Organisation
- Cockroach Janta Party
- Police Action
- Removed from protest site
- Historical Context
- Hunger strikes have been used by figures like Gandhi and Irom Sharmila
- Body's Response
- Metabolism slows, weight drops, muscles weaken, and eventually, the body consumes its own tissues
- Court Intervention
- Delhi High Court ordered hospitalization due to deteriorating health
Sources
Can a hunger strike Sonam Wangchuk's still shake the modern state?
Economy of protests: How can a hunger strike win in modern times?
Life is precious: The cloud changes; it does not die - Telegraph India
Sonam Wangchuk: Man who gave the Cockroach protest a second, and then a third, wind - Telegraph India
