Did not cut any deal with government: Sonam Wangchuk

After being criticized by many social media users for ending her hunger strike in the presence of Union Ministers, activist Sonam Wangchuk posted a long video message on Friday (July 24, 2026) in which she claimed that she had “no deal” with the government and ended her fast as she feared crackdowns on students and protesters at Jantar Mantar.

He said he did not press for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as this was inevitable due to the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar and youth movement across the country. He ended his fast around 12.30 pm on Friday, July 24, in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, his wife and civil society leaders from Ladakh. Mr. Nadda offered him soup to end the strike.

“Instead, I focused on ensuring justice for the students and youth against whom an FIR was registered. We saw what happened after the Ladakh incident on September 24, 2025: nearly 80 people were arrested and put in jails. For me, the future of these youth is more important. The government was not ready to give written assurances but I refused to end my hunger strike until this key point was included in the agreement.”

Mr Wangchuk, who released a 24:22-minute video from Medanta Hospital where he is currently under observation, said he wanted Opposition members as well as CJP to be present, but the “agencies” did not agree.

He said that even now his movement and that of his visitors are restricted at Medanta Hospital and he is considering filing a contempt petition in the Delhi High Court.

He added that he managed to ensure the presence of civil society leaders from Ladakh on Thursday night (July 23).

“I lost 11 kilos, I have no muscle mass. I was sitting there in the heat and humidity. Do I need to prove my sincerity after 26 days of hunger strike,” he said.