Sonam refuses to end hunger strike, urges mass participation in July 20 march

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has ruled out ending his indefinite hunger strike despite appeals from political leaders and supporters, saying breaking the fast without any response from the government would send the wrong message.

“If I eat, what message will go? The message to the government will be that there is no need for accountability. Protesters sit and leave…” said Wangchuk and asked what would change if he ended the fast.

Instead, he urged people to strengthen the Cockroach Janta Party’s proposed Parliament march on July 20, saying students in schools and colleges should participate “in a real lesson in political  science and democracy”.

In a video message



shared late on Wednesday night — day 18 of his hunger strike, Wangchuk said, “I have received thousands of messages asking me to break my fast. Many senior politicians have come to me and spoken to me with love and concern.”

Some have even approached the court seeking directions to make me eat, he said.

Seeking to allay concerns over his health, Wangchuk said medical examinations conducted so far had not indicated any immediate danger.

“My condition is not such that I will die in two-four days. Many medical tests have been conducted and the results are quite normal for an 18-day fast. An ECG was also done and it is not bad. I can continue for many more days,” he said.