Archive · 24 Jul 2026
Hunger Strikes in India: Effectiveness and Challenges
Hunger strikes have been a powerful tool for activists in India to protest against government policies.
Sonam Wangchuk recently fasted for 20 days in Delhi to demand reforms in the education system and address paper leaks.
Despite his efforts, many of his demands, like statehood for Ladakh, remain unmet.
Similarly, Prof. GD Aggarwal fasted multiple times to save the Ganga, leading to some successes like the cancellation of hydro projects.
However, other activists like Irom Sharmila, who protested against AFSPA for 16 years, did not achieve their goals.
Hunger strikes can draw public attention and support, especially with the help of social media, but their effectiveness varies.
Governments sometimes respond to the pressure, but often they do not, highlighting the challenges of this form of protest.
Sonam Wangchuk undertook a 20-day hunger strike in Delhi to protest against the education system and paper leaks.
Wangchuk's strike led to student protests across the country and received assurances from the government to discuss the issue in Parliament.
Prof. GD Aggarwal fasted multiple times to save the Ganga, leading to the cancellation of hydro projects in 2010.
Irom Sharmila protested against AFSPA for 16 years through a hunger strike, but her demands were not met.
Social media and central protest locations like Jantar Mantar enhance the visibility and support for hunger strikes.
- Who
- Activists like Sonam Wangchuk, Prof. GD Aggarwal, and Irom Sharmila have undertaken hunger strikes to protest against government policies.
- What
- Hunger strikes are used as a form of political resistance to draw attention to various issues, including education system failures and environmental conservation.
- When
- Recent hunger strikes include Wangchuk's 20-day fast in June-July 2024 and Prof. Aggarwal's fasts between 2008 and 2018.
- Where
- Protests have taken place in Delhi (Jantar Mantar), Ladakh, and Haridwar.
- Why
- Activists use hunger strikes to pressure governments into addressing their demands, often with mixed success.
Proponents of Hunger Strikes
Skeptics of Hunger Strikes
Effectiveness in Achieving Goals
Proponents of Hunger Strikes
Hunger strikes have historically led to significant changes, such as the cancellation of hydro projects and increased public awareness.
Skeptics of Hunger Strikes
Many hunger strikes, like those for Ganga conservation and AFSPA repeal, have failed to achieve their objectives despite prolonged efforts.
Public Support and Media Coverage
Proponents of Hunger Strikes
Social media and central protest locations like Jantar Mantar enhance visibility and mobilize support, making hunger strikes more effective.
Skeptics of Hunger Strikes
Even with public support and media coverage, governments often do not concede to the demands, as seen in the cases of Prof. Aggarwal and Irom Sharmila.
- Sonam Wangchuk
- Educationist and activist who undertook a 20-day hunger strike in Delhi to protest against examination system issues and paper leaks.
- Prof. GD Aggarwal
- Environmentalist who undertook multiple fasts to save the Ganga, leading to the cancellation of hydro projects in 2010.
- Irom Sharmila
- Activist who protested against AFSPA for 16 years through a hunger strike, but her demands were not met.
- Jantar Mantar
- Central protest location in Delhi that provides high visibility for hunger strikes.
- Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)
- Political party whose leader, Abhijeet Dipke, supported Wangchuk's hunger strike.