Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk on Monday ended his 26-day hunger strike after discussions with the Central government, saying the decision was taken in view of maintaining peace and preventing violence. The fast was formally concluded in the presence of Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh, along with senior members of the Leh Apex Body.
Announcing the development on X, Wangchuk wrote: “Just now in the presence of Union Ministers Sh. JP Nadda, Dr. Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of Apex Body of Leh Ladakh, I finally broke my fast after 26 days. Earlier,r 65 members of parliament from different political parties had visited or signed letters urging me to break the fast. This was done after lengthy negotiations over various conditions and in light of possible violence in the country. I will explain the conditions in detail in a separate video very soon. Meanwhile, I urge you all to stay very vigilant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere.”
Earlier on the 26th day of his fast, Wangchuk had appealed for calm, stating:
“DAY 26
PEACE & ONLY PEACE IS MY WAY…
While at Jantar Mantar the protests remain peaceful,l I’m pained to learn that elsewhere some antisocial elements are taking advantage of the peaceful protests to provoke violence.
No matter what the other side does, es our response must only be flowers.
Please keep this tradition at all costs.”
Wangchuk said he would soon release a detailed video explaining the outcome of the negotiations and the conditions that led to his decision to end the fast. His appeal for non-violence came amid ongoing demonstrations linked to demands concerning Ladakh’s constitutional and administrative issues.
