‘Lost Trust In All Leaders’: Sonam Wangchuk Hits Out At Rahul Gandhi, Govt Over Hunger Strike Episode

Sonam Wangchuk says he has lost trust in political leaders after Rahul Gandhi did not respond to efforts to end his hunger strike.

New Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk has expressed disappointment with political leaders across parties, saying he has “lost trust in all leaders” after what he described as broken commitments and a lack of support during his 26-day hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

Wangchuk said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi did not respond positively to efforts made by his wife Gitanjali to have him formally end the fast by offering him juice.

Wangchuk Says Rahul Gandhi Did Not Respond to Request

Speaking about the conclusion of his hunger strike, Wangchuk said his wife had been trying to coordinate with Rahul Gandhi so that the Congress leader could offer him juice and mark the end of the protest.

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“We were pondering on breaking my fast through Rahul Gandhi ji and Gitanjali was working on that. She was working hard to see if Rahul ji could break my fast. She didn’t get a positive response,” Wangchuk said. He added that the limited involvement of political leaders during the Jantar Mantar protest left him disappointed.

Allegation Against Union Ministers Over Promise

Wangchuk also criticised Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, alleging that they did not follow through on a commitment related to his hunger strike.

According to Wangchuk, the ministers had agreed not to release photographs showing them offering him soup until he publicly announced the conclusion of his fast along with opposition leaders and student representatives. “They pledged they won’t release it and they broke the promise. So I have lost trust in all these leaders,” he said.

Wife’s Remarks Against Rahul Gandhi Sparked Debate

Wangchuk referred to criticism made by his wife Gitanjali against Rahul Gandhi after the Congress leader held a protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence. He said her reaction was influenced by the disappointment felt over the limited participation of political leaders during the Jantar Mantar agitation.

Wangchuk also alleged that while criticism of the BJP and Hindutva groups from his wife did not attract similar backlash, her remarks against the Congress triggered online criticism.

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Wangchuk Supports CJP’s Apolitical Stand

Despite his criticism of political leaders, Wangchuk backed the CJP movement, saying he believed its members were working for a genuine cause without political alignment. He supported the organisation’s decision to stay away from electoral politics, saying that remaining apolitical allows movements to represent people who feel unheard. “Being apolitical, it gives voice to the voiceless,” Wangchuk said.

Hunger Strike Drew Attention to Student Issues

Wangchuk joined the CJP-led protest at Jantar Mantar over demands related to examination irregularities, accountability and education reforms.

His 26-day hunger strike became one of the key moments of the agitation, drawing attention from student groups, activists and civil society members. Although the fast has ended, Wangchuk and CJP have maintained that they will continue their campaign through peaceful and democratic methods.