Sonam Wangchuk slams critics, explains ending hunger strike despite no Pradhan resignation; recounts ‘North Korea-like’ hospital ordeal

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday slammed critics for questioning his decision to end his 26-day hunger strike despite no resignation by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while also recounting his “North Korea-like” hospital “detention”.

In a video statement posted on YouTube, Wangchuk said that he was “hurt and angry” to see that some people were raising questions about why he chose to break his fast in front of two Union Ministers and not students and Cockroach Janata Party leaders.

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Wangchuk said that those raising the questions were unaware of his “North Korea-like detention” at Safdarjung Hospital.

He said the government kept him under a tight vigil, and no one except three relatives was allowed to meet him. He said that he somehow managed to communicate from the government hospital.

Wangchuk alleged that despite the Delhi High Court order, he was not allowed to be shifted to Medanta Hospital for close to five hours as officials claimed they had not received the order.

He also released purported footage in which he is seen confronting a Delhi Police official over not being allowed to leave the hospital despite the High Court’s order.

At one stage, he is seen lying on the floor of the hospital corridor in protest while asking the policemen to arrest him.

Explains why he agreed to end hunger strike despite no resignation

Wangchuk also explained his rationale behind his decision to agree to end his indefinite fast despite no assurance from the government over his key demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

Wangchuk said that not taking Pradhan’s resignation is already hurting the government and that, sooner or later, the minister will have to step down.

He further stated that the government agreed to two of his demands — compensation for suicide victims and a detailed discussion on the issue in Parliament.

However, he said, the government wasn’t ready to give written assurances on not taking any legal action against Cockroach Janata Party protesters.

“I didn’t want the CJP leaders and students to face legal troubles. So I insisted on not ending my hunger strike without assurance of no legal action against protesters… By not taking the resignation (of Dharmendra Pradhan), the government was facing nationwide anger and hatred. Moreover, I knew that the protest would not end with me breaking the fast. The students will take the resignation anyway… So I focused more on protecting the students from legal action than on resignation,” he added.

The climate activist also cited the chances of violence as another key reason behind his decision to break the fast.

His reaction came amid allegations by certain politicians that he has made a “secret deal” with the BJP.

Wangchuk had sat on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in support of CJP’s protest against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over paper leaks.

As his fast entered its 21st day, he was forcibly removed from the protest site and shifted to Safdarjung Hospital. This worked in favour of the CJP as their protest broadened and a massive crowd gathered at Jantar Mantar for the July 20 march to Parliament.

The brutal police crackdown on students during the march also backfired as the protests spread across the country.

The government is currently engaged in negotiations with the protesters. The CJP has made it clear that the protest will continue until Pradhan’s resignation.