Sonam Wangchuk Rejects 'Deal' Allegations, Asks: 'Do I Still Need To Prove Sincerity?'

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has strongly dismissed allegations that he struck a political deal with the Centre after ending his 26-day hunger strike in support of the protest led by the satirical political group, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). In a video message shared on Instagram and a longer address uploaded to YouTube, Wangchuk responded to criticism over his decision to end the fast in the presence of Union ministers, questioning why his commitment was being doubted after nearly a month without food. He urged people to watch his complete statement before drawing conclusions.

Speaking from a hospital bed, Wangchuk described the severe physical toll the prolonged fast had taken on his health. He said he had lost 11 kilograms and claimed his body had suffered extensive muscle loss, with the risk of irreversible damage to his organs and brain becoming increasingly serious. Reflecting on the final days of the protest, he said he had exhausted nearly all of his physical strength while continuing the agitation and described his emotional state as a mixture of sadness, surprise, grief, and anger over the criticism that followed.

Responding directly to claims that ending the fast in the presence of Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh indicated a compromise with the government, Wangchuk rejected the suggestion outright. He argued that if his intention had been to negotiate a political bargain, there would have been no reason to endure 26 days of hunger in the scorching Delhi heat. "Do I still need to prove my sincerity?" he asked, adding that anyone seeking a deal could have done so comfortably rather than risking serious health consequences through a prolonged public fast.

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Despite Wangchuk ending his hunger strike, the broader protest at Jantar Mantar continues. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said demonstrators remain committed to pressing their demands, including the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. While welcoming recent government initiatives such as proposed legal reforms and the approval of fast-track courts to handle examination paper leak cases, Ranka maintained that the announced measures do not adequately address the underlying issues that led to the nationwide protests.

Wangchuk concluded his message by thanking the thousands of supporters who stood by him throughout the fast and expressed gratitude for their solidarity. His decision to end the hunger strike has marked a new phase in the ongoing movement, with protest organizers indicating that demonstrations will continue as they seek broader institutional reforms and greater accountability over alleged examination irregularities. Meanwhile, the government's reform proposals are expected to remain at the center of discussions as negotiations between stakeholders continue.

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