Level 1 RC-03 Sonam Wangchuk's Hunger Strike: Development or Identity?
- IIMwalaBanda
- Jul 26
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
On June 28, 2026, education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike in support of a nationwide student movement protesting alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, particularly paper leaks and concerns regarding accountability in the examination system. Rather than portraying the issue as merely an administrative lapse, Wangchuk framed it as a crisis of institutional trust. In a country where millions view competitive examinations as the primary pathway to educational and economic mobility, he argued that the credibility of these examinations is essential to preserving public confidence in meritocracy.
As the hunger strike entered its second and third weeks, it gradually evolved beyond an individual act of protest into a broader symbol of democratic participation. Student organizations, civil society groups, educators, and political leaders expressed varying degrees of support. While many endorsed Wangchuk's demand for greater transparency and systemic reforms, others questioned whether symbolic protests such as indefinite fasts continue to be effective instruments for influencing public policy in large democracies. Nevertheless, even critics acknowledged that the protest had succeeded in keeping examination reforms at the center of the national conversation.
The government's response reflected the challenge of balancing public concerns with institutional authority. Negotiations continued over several weeks and culminated in meetings between Wangchuk and senior Union ministers. Eventually, the government issued written assurances addressing several issues, including discussions on examination reforms in Parliament, protection of peaceful protesters from punitive action, and consideration of compensation for families affected by the examination controversy. These assurances became the immediate basis for Wangchuk ending his 26-day hunger strike.
Following the conclusion of the fast, Wangchuk clarified that his decision should not be interpreted as evidence that every demand had been fulfilled. Instead, he maintained that extending the protest could increase the likelihood of confrontation between demonstrators and law enforcement, thereby diverting attention from the movement's broader objectives. In this sense, ending the fast represented a strategic recalibration rather than a retreat. He argued that the true measure of the movement's success would lie not in the duration of his personal sacrifice but in whether institutions ultimately transformed public commitments into meaningful policy reforms.
The episode also revived an enduring debate about the role of non-violent protest in democratic societies. Hunger strikes seldom compel governments through force; instead, they seek to generate moral pressure by appealing to public conscience. Their effectiveness therefore depends less on immediate concessions than on their ability to shape public discourse, mobilize diverse sections of society, and sustain institutional accountability long after the protest itself has concluded. Whether Wangchuk's movement ultimately results in lasting reforms remains uncertain, but it illustrates how symbolic acts can influence political priorities even when they produce only incremental policy commitments.
Questions
1. Which of the following best captures the central idea of the passage?
A. Hunger strikes have become ineffective methods of democratic protest.
B. Wangchuk's protest illustrates both the strengths and limitations of symbolic non-violent action in influencing institutional reform.
C. The government accepted all the demands raised by the protesters.
D. Examination reforms can only be achieved through judicial intervention.
2. According to the passage, Wangchuk ended his hunger strike primarily because:
A. Every demand raised by the protesters had been fulfilled.
B. His deteriorating health made it impossible to continue.
C. Written assurances from the government and concerns about possible escalation made continuing the protest strategically undesirable.
D. Public support for the movement had significantly declined.
3. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the author's argument regarding the effectiveness of symbolic protests?
A. Parliament subsequently debated examination reforms and enacted stronger anti-paper-leak legislation.
B. The number of competitive examinations increased the following year.
C. Student enrollment in coaching institutes increased after the protests.
D. Public discussion about the protest disappeared immediately after the hunger strike ended.
4. The author most likely believes that the long-term success of Wangchuk's protest depends primarily on:
A. The willingness of activists to undertake longer hunger strikes.
B. Sustained media coverage of future protests.
C. Whether institutional promises are translated into concrete policy reforms.
D. The personal popularity of protest leaders.
Q4. Correct Answer: C
Why C is correct:The passage concludes by stating that the movement's true success will depend on whether institutions convert public commitments into meaningful policy reforms. This reflects the author's primary criterion for judging the protest's long-term impact.
Why A is incorrect:The author never suggests that longer hunger strikes are inherently more successful. In fact, Wangchuk chose to end his fast strategically rather than prolong it indefinitely.
Why B is incorrect:Media attention may help keep issues visible, but the passage emphasizes institutional accountability and policy implementation—not media coverage—as the ultimate measure of success.
Why D is incorrect:The passage focuses on the broader movement, democratic participation, and institutional change rather than the charisma or popularity of individual leaders.…
Q3. Correct Answer: A
Why A is correct:The author argues that symbolic protests are successful when they shape public discourse and eventually contribute to institutional accountability and policy reform. If Parliament debated the issue and passed legislation, it would directly demonstrate the protest's long-term effectiveness.
Why B is incorrect:An increase in the number of examinations has no clear relationship with the effectiveness of the protest or the achievement of its objectives.
Why C is incorrect:Higher coaching enrollments neither indicate institutional reform nor demonstrate that the protest influenced public policy.
Why D is incorrect:This directly weakens the author's argument. If public discussion disappeared immediately, it would suggest that the protest failed to sustain attention or influence long-term accountability.
Q2. Correct Answer: C
Why C is correct:The passage clearly mentions two reasons: the government provided written assurances on key issues, and Wangchuk believed extending the protest could increase the chances of confrontation between protesters and law enforcement. Ending the fast was therefore presented as a strategic decision rather than a surrender.
Why A is incorrect:The passage specifically rejects this interpretation. Wangchuk himself stated that ending the hunger strike did not mean all demands had been met.
Why B is incorrect:Although a prolonged hunger strike naturally affects health, the passage never cites deteriorating health as the reason for ending the protest. This is an unsupported assumption.
Why D is incorrect:The passage suggests exactly the opposite. Public support expanded during the…
Q1. Correct Answer: B
Why B is correct:The passage examines how Wangchuk's hunger strike brought examination reforms into the national conversation while acknowledging that symbolic protests have limitations. It neither glorifies nor dismisses the protest but presents it as an example of how non-violent action can influence public discourse and institutional accountability without guaranteeing immediate success.
Why A is incorrect:The passage never concludes that hunger strikes are ineffective. On the contrary, it argues that they can successfully shape public discourse and influence political priorities, even if they do not immediately achieve all demands.
Why C is incorrect:The passage explicitly states that Wangchuk clarified not all demands had been fulfilled. The government's written assurances formed the basis for ending the fast,…