Activist Sonam Wangchuk has alleged that Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh broke their promise by releasing photographs of him ending his 26-day hunger strike, despite an understanding that the images would not be made public until leaders from the Opposition and student representatives were included in the announcement.
Speaking in an interview, Wangchuk said the ministers had agreed that no photographs of their midnight meeting would be released immediately.
According to him, the arrangement was witnessed by senior Intelligence Bureau officials, who were informed that the announcement would be made only after photographs with leaders across political parties were available.
Wangchuk said that in Ladakh, it is customary for government representatives to offer juice or soup after accepting protesters’ demands, but he did not want the moment to appear as an event involving only the ruling party.
He claimed the agreement was breached within minutes, alleging that television channels began airing the photographs before he could make the announcement.
Rejecting allegations of striking a “midnight deal” with the government, Wangchuk said he had several opportunities to negotiate earlier if that had been his intention. He added that the episode had shaken his trust in political leaders across party lines.
Wangchuk ended his fast on July 24 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message on stricter anti-paper leak laws and fast-track measures.
