In a three-minute video statement, external from his hospital bed on Wednesday night, the activist said: “Many leaders, including ministers from the ruling party, have appealed to me to end my fast. I want to do that too because my work is important to me.”
But, he said, he would not end his hunger strike unless the government gave him an assurance that no force or retaliatory action would be used against students.
“If I receive that assurance soon, I will end my hunger strike today. If not, I will unfortunately have to continue,” he said.
The activist said he wanted “to salute all the students who conducted themselves with remarkable restraint” during Monday’s crackdown on the CJP.
“Despite being lathi-charged [beaten with sticks], they did not retaliate. Seeing the brutal action against them, I decided to continue my hunger strike,” he said.
Wangchuk’s statement and an earlier letter to federal ministers he met on Tuesday night omitted any mention of Pradhan’s resignation, but the CJP insisted the demand remained non-negotiable.
“The peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Pradhan resigns,” Dipke told his supporters. “We will not let Sonam sir’s hunger strike go in vain. We will not let the brutal assault on students go in vain,” he added.
Students blame Mr Pradhan for repeated leaks of major public exams, most recently the medical entrance test, and say he must take moral responsibility and resign.
On Monday, tens of thousands marched through central Delhi after the CJP called for a parliament march as the monsoon session opened.
At least 60 protesters and 118 police officers were injured in clashes after police used batons and tear gas to disperse the crowds. Police arrested 70 protesters, most of whom have since been released on bail.
Officers also dismantled the protest’s stage and makeshift tents at Jantar Mantar, but demonstrators have refused to leave, maintaining a round-the-clock sit-in under heavy police and paramilitary deployment.
Since Wednesday, authorities have closed 16 Delhi metro stations in central Delhi. While they have not given a reason, protesters say the move is meant to stop people reaching Jantar Mantar.
