skip to contentPremiumFormer minister and activist Sonam Wangyal had recalled that during his second fast to seek ST status for Ladakh people, Indira Gandhi had flown to Leh to assure him about accepting the demandThen PM Indira Gandhi with Sonam Wangyal. (X/@MansoorKhanINC)4 min readNew DelhiJul 18, 2026 07:18 AM IST First published on: Jul 18, 2026 at 07:09 AM ISTWhile activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since June 28 as part of a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak, he seems to be carrying forward his father Sonam Wangyal’s legacy.Wangyal had fasted for 16 days in 1982 and again for five days in 1984 to demand the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the people of Ladakh.© The Indian Express Pvt LtdVikas Pathak is deputy associate editor with The Indian Express and writes on national politics. He ... Read More ShareWhatsapptwitterFacebook