Sonam Wangchuk Hunger Strike: Should Rahul Gandhi Join Sonam Wangchuk's Protest? The Big Debate

As Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike enters its 19th day, the debate has shifted beyond the protest itself to a larger question: should the government engage in dialogue or stand firm against pressure politics? In this special NDTV discussion, senior journalists Tavleen Singh and Neerja Chaudhary, along with political analyst Rajat Sethi, debate the government's response, Rahul Gandhi's absence from the protest site, and whether hunger strikes remain an effective tool for accountability in modern democracy. While Neerja Chaudhary argues that governments must distinguish between strength and arrogance and engage with Wangchuk with humanity and humility, Rajat Sethi warns against setting precedents where hunger strikes become instruments to pressure elected governments. Tavleen Singh, meanwhile, questions whether opposition parties should politically appropriate a youth-led movement. As concerns grow over Wangchuk's health and the Delhi High Court orders daily medical monitoring, the debate over accountability, protest politics and democratic engagement continues to intensify.