Senior Advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has appealed to activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his indefinite hunger strike, saying his leadership would be needed for many future public movements. Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike since June 28, is protesting in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak. Addressing a press conference, Sibal said that while many people stood firmly with Wangchuk’s cause, there was no reason to risk his life if the government was unwilling to respond to his demands.

Sibal criticised the Central government for not initiating any dialogue with the activist, arguing that hunger strikes are often undertaken when citizens feel their voices are not being heard. Referring to Mahatma Gandhi and the Anna Hazare movement, he said previous governments had engaged with protesters through discussions, whereas the present administration had failed to do so. He also highlighted repeated examination paper leak controversies, including NEET and the Maharashtra TET examination, alleging that students had joined Wangchuk’s protest because their future had been adversely affected.

The appeal came shortly after the Delhi High Court directed the Centre to ensure Sonam Wangchuk’s daily medical monitoring and provide any treatment required as his health continues to deteriorate. While disposing of a public interest litigation seeking urgent medical intervention, the court observed that every citizen’s life is precious and recorded the Centre’s assurance that government doctors and medical experts were regularly monitoring Wangchuk’s condition. The court directed authorities to continue daily health assessments and provide necessary medical care whenever required.