🔥 Trending Sonam Wangchuk's Hunger Strike: Understanding the Demands and Health Concerns

Sonam Wangchuk, a 59-year-old Indian educationist and environmental activist, is currently on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, which he began on June 28, 2026 ⁴². His protest primarily addresses two key issues: constitutional safeguards for Ladakh and the recent controversy surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026 ⁶.

Reasons Behind the Hunger Strike

Wangchuk's hunger strike is driven by several demands and concerns:

Constitutional Safeguards for Ladakh

Wangchuk is a prominent advocate for the environmental protection and constitutional rights of his home region, Ladakh ¹. He has been vocal about the need for greater autonomy and protection for Ladakh, particularly concerning its fragile ecosystem and indigenous culture. His demands often include the implementation of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which provides for the administration of tribal areas and safeguards their land and resources ⁶.

NEET-UG 2026 Controversy

A significant aspect of his current protest is the demand for accountability and justice regarding the alleged irregularities and paper leaks in the NEET-UG 2026 examination ⁶. This issue has sparked widespread protests across India, with many students and activists calling for a re-examination and a thorough investigation into the matter. Wangchuk has joined this movement, urging the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the handling of the controversy ¹⁸.

Wangchuk's Current Condition

As of July 16, 2026, Sonam Wangchuk's health has been a growing concern, with calls from various quarters for him to end his strike ²⁵.

• Weight Loss: Wangchuk has reportedly lost nearly 9 kilograms since the start of his hunger strike ³⁹. On the 19th day of his strike, doctors monitoring him noted that his weight dropped by 9 kg and flagged "alarming" risks to his health ¹⁰.
• Deteriorating Health: Concerns about his rapidly deteriorating health have been widely reported ²⁵. Despite this, Wangchuk has stated that he will not end his fast without a concrete response from the government, believing that doing so would send the wrong message ⁵.
• Public and Political Appeals: There have been appeals from political leaders and supporters for him to end his strike ⁵. However, Wangchuk remains resolute, emphasizing that breaking the fast without government action would be counterproductive ⁵.
• Call for March to Parliament: Wangchuk has urged his supporters to participate in a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20, 2026, to amplify their demands ⁷.

Wangchuk has a history of using hunger strikes as a form of protest to draw attention to environmental and social causes ¹. His current strike continues to garner significant media attention and public support, particularly in light of his worsening health.