Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike If Parliament Raises Education

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has offered to end his nearly three-week-long hunger strike if political leaders commit to raising the issue of education accountability in Parliament, his wife announced on July 19. The announcement came as thousands of supporters gathered at Delhi's Jantar Mantar protest site ahead of a planned march to Parliament the following day, July 20, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).

Gitanjali Angmo, speaking to protesters at Jantar Mantar, said Wangchuk would call off his indefinite fast if leaders from political parties visited him at Safdarjung Hospital and assured him they would raise the matter during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which begins on July 20. She conveyed that his fast was a means to secure accountability for alleged examination irregularities and broader reforms in India's education system. Wangchuk was removed from the protest site earlier and admitted to the hospital, but his hunger strike is reportedly continuing.

The CJP's "Chalo Sansad" march is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on July 20 from Jantar Mantar, coinciding with the first day of the Parliament session. The group claims the event is the culmination of a month-long...