Social activist Sonam Wangchuk called off his 23-day hunger strike on Monday, a decision that came right after Union Minister JP Nadda met with CJP protesters. Wangchuk's health had been steadily deteriorating during the prolonged fast at Jantar Mantar.
Hospitalised as health worsened
As his condition declined during the fast, Wangchuk was admitted to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital on July 18. Doctors flagged serious concerns over severe dehydration, sharply low potassium levels and rising ketone levels in his body, symptoms that point to the toll a prolonged fast takes on the body, which is why medical staff kept a close watch on his condition.
CJP's protest and the meeting with Nadda
Wangchuk had been protesting at Jantar Mantar under the banner of CJP, an organisation that reports have also referred to as the "Cockroach Party." On Monday, Union Minister JP Nadda met with CJP protesters, shortly after which Wangchuk announced an end to his fast. The protest site at Jantar Mantar was subsequently cleared. CJP founder Abhijit Deepke has also ended his own hunger strike and is now expected to hold further talks with JP Nadda on issues concerning education and health.
Was there a deal between the government and CJP?
The end of the fast has raised questions about whether some kind of understanding was reached between the government and CJP. According to reports, one of the three conditions Sonam Wangchuk had originally set included a demand for Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, but that demand is said to be missing from the list of conditions that has since emerged. This has left it unclear exactly what terms led to the fast being called off.
Opposition reaction
The opposition also took aim at the government over the CJP protest. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav took a swipe at the situation, saying, "There's arrogance in the BJP, is this what Amrit Kaal looks like?" His remark pointed to the government's handling of the matter, which had left Wangchuk on a fast for weeks.
A BJP leader's controversial remark
Earlier, on July 17, a BJP leader had made a controversial statement about Sonam Wangchuk. The remark referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi and warned, in cautionary terms, that the situation could worsen further if things were not brought under control. The comment drew anger from Wangchuk's supporters and opposition leaders alike.
