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🇸🇬 Singapore /Culture & Society

Fears for Indian activist’s life after 18 days of hunger strike

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk is on day 18 of a hunger strike protesting the country's examination system, with supporters fearing for his life.
  • Wangchuk demands the resignation of the Education Minister over alleged irregularities, particularly in medical entrance exams.
  • A court ordered government doctors to monitor Wangchuk's health daily, emphasizing the preciousness of any citizen's life.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk's health is a growing concern as he enters the third week of a hunger strike protesting India's examination system. A New Delhi court intervened on July 16, ordering government doctors to monitor the 59-year-old's condition daily amid fears for his life.

whatever medical intervention is needed to save Sonam Wangchuk’s life should be done.

— Delhi High CourtThe court's order to government doctors regarding the activist's health.

Wangchuk, an engineer known for his work in Himalayan water conservation and educational reform, began his fast on June 28. He is demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing alleged irregularities and repeated paper leaks in crucial exams, particularly the medical entrance test. These leaks have eroded faith in the system among students nationwide.

Supporters and students have organized protests across India, with many expressing disillusionment. Wangchuk appeared visibly frail on July 16 at the Jantar Mantar protest site in New Delhi. The Delhi High Court, responding to a petition, stressed that "the life of any citizen is precious" and mandated that "whatever medical intervention is needed to save Sonam Wangchuk’s life should be done."

The life of any citizen is precious.

— Delhi High CourtThe court's justification for intervening in the hunger strike.

A group of about a dozen students are also participating in a hunger strike alongside Wangchuk. Bahadur Singh, a 29-year-old student from Uttar Pradesh, stated, "I am not fasting for myself. This is about every student who has lost hope in the system." The protests have gained support from opposition parties, with Shashi Tharoor of the Congress party acknowledging the students' "anguish."

I am not fasting for myself. This is about every student who has lost hope in the system.

— Bahadur SinghA student protester explaining the motivation behind joining the hunger strike.

The movement gained momentum after the cancellation of a competitive medical entrance exam in June, which was taken by 2.2 million students, due to a paper leak. This incident, coupled with a separate marking controversy in high school tests, fueled widespread outrage and youth protests, highlighting deep-seated issues within India's education sector.

This country hears you. Your anger is not indiscipline, it is the anguish of a generation that did everything right and was still betrayed.

— Shashi TharoorA Congress party member's message of support to the student activists.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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