Archive · 26 Jul 2026
Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike, Minister Resigns
Sonam Wangchuk is a famous educator and activist from Ladakh, India.
He started a movement called SECMOL to help students in Ladakh who were struggling in school because they didn't speak the languages the exams were in.
He also worked on projects like Operation New Hope to improve schools and created Ice Stupas to help farmers with water.
Wangchuk is known for his hunger strikes to protect Ladakh's environment and culture.
In 2025, he went on a hunger strike to demand the resignation of the Education Minister, which led to big protests and finally, the minister resigned.
He has won many awards for his work, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award.
After 26 days, he ended his hunger strike and will be discharged from the hospital.
Sonam Wangchuk is an education reformer and activist from Ladakh, India.
He founded SECMOL to help local students struggling with language barriers in exams.
Wangchuk developed the Ice Stupas project to help farmers with water shortages.
He went on a 26-day hunger strike in 2025 demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The protests led to the minister's resignation and significant public participation.
- Who
- Sonam Wangchuk, an education reformer and activist from Ladakh
- What
- A hunger strike demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and protection of Ladakh's environment
- When
- June 28 to July 26, 2025
- Where
- Delhi, India
- Why
- To protest against the Education Minister's policies and to safeguard Ladakh's ecology and tribal rights
Protecting Ladakh's Environment
National Security and Development
Mining and Infrastructure Projects
Protecting Ladakh's Environment
Wangchuk argues that unchecked development threatens Ladakh's fragile ecology and tribal identity.
National Security and Development
The government defends the projects, citing strategic and national security concerns in a sensitive border region.
- Full Name
- Sonam Wangchuk
- Birth Year
- 1966
- Education
- BTech in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Srinagar
- Organisation Founded
- Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL)
- Notable Awards
- Ramon Magsaysay Award (2018), Rolex Award for Enterprise (2016)
- Key Initiatives
- Operation New Hope, Ice Stupas
- Hunger Strikes
- 2023 (against mining), 2025 (against Education Minister)
- Detention
- 170 days under the National Security Act (NSA)
Sources
Sonam Wangchuk to be discharged from Gurugram hospital on July 27
Sonam Wangchuk to be discharged from hospital on Monday, leave for Ladakh after Rajghat visit - Telegraph India
Person of the week | Sonam Wangchuk: The educator who led Gen Z's biggest battle
Sonam Wangchuk to be discharged from hospital on Monday
