Sonam Wangchuk’s wife urges compassion after hunger strike ends: ‘He sacrificed, don’t rush to judge’

Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, on Thursday appealed to the public not to criticise him for ending his 26-day hunger strike, saying he had made enormous personal sacrifices for a larger cause and deserved empathy rather than political judgment.

In a post on X, Angmo said those questioning Wangchuk’s decision should first understand the cost of fasting for nearly a month.

“Before you rush to criticise @Wangchuk66, first pause to earn the ethos of fasting for 26 days for a cause larger than yourself,” she wrote.

She revealed that Wangchuk is currently in the ICU after losing 11 kg, including significant muscle mass, during the fast.

“He lies in the ICU today… The least we can offer him is a day of compassion before burdening him with our own expectations and political calculations,” she added.

Appealing for understanding, Angmo said, “Not everyone is qualified to judge a life of selfless service. One must first earn the moral stature to do so. Please… Have a heart.”

Wangchuk ended his indefinite fast shortly after midnight on Thursday in the presence of Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. His decision came after the Centre reportedly gave a written assurance that concerns over accountability in the examination system would be discussed in Parliament, along with support from 65 Opposition MPs.

While welcoming Wangchuk’s move, CJP convener Abhijeet Dipke clarified that the student-led protest demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation would continue.

According to government sources, Gitanjali Angmo played a crucial role in persuading Wangchuk to end his fast. She reportedly acted as an intermediary between the government and the activist and encouraged him to opt for dialogue without attaching further conditions.

Senior BJP leaders described Wangchuk’s call for dialogue as a constructive step, saying it offered a path toward resolving the impasse.

Earlier, Angmo had also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing the Opposition of attempting to leverage Wangchuk’s credibility and the movement for political gain after Gandhi joined protesters outside the Prime Minister’s residence.