Sonam Wangchuk's Wife Defends Him After Hunger Strike Criticism

As criticism intensified regarding climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's choice to conclude his 26-day hunger strike, which he undertook to support students protesting the alleged NEET paper leak, his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, stepped forward to defend him. In a heartfelt message shared on social media platform X, Angmo emphasized the need for compassion rather than judgment, highlighting the physical toll the fast had taken on Wangchuk. She revealed that he is currently in the intensive care unit (ICU) after losing 11 kilograms, including a significant amount of muscle mass, during this period of fasting. Angmo urged the public to reflect before criticizing her husband, stating, "Before you rush to criticize @Wangchuk66, first pause to earn the ethos of fasting for 26 days for a cause larger than yourself. He lies in the ICU today, having lost 11 kg, including muscle mass, because he chose sacrifice over comfort." Her plea for empathy resonated with many, as she implored, "The least we can offer him is a day of compassion before burdening him with our own expectations and political calculations. 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's response to the backlash came shortly after Angmo's post, as he shared a video message addressing the criticisms he faced. In this message, he questioned the necessity of proving his commitment to the cause through a character certificate. He stated, "After 26 days of fasting for the sake of students, losing 11 kilograms of body weight in which I have also lost muscle mass and my organs and brain reached the verge of irreversible damage, and doing all this in the scorching heat of Delhi after coming from the bitter cold of Ladakh, do I have to seek a character certificate from anyone about how sacred my fast was, about whose hands I broke it at, or whether I made a deal or not?... Shame on a country that produces such minds, from which such vile thoughts spring." Wangchuk expressed that he does not blame those who criticize him, as he believes many lack an understanding of the circumstances he and his family have endured during the past weeks. He encouraged people to consider the backgrounds of those who criticize him, questioning whether they hold any political biases that may influence their opinions.