India's youth is among the best, Sonam Wangchuk says in a video message

Sonam Wangchuk thanked supporters after ending his hunger strike and returning to his village. He said the protest renewed his faith in India's youth, democracy and the people.

In Short

• Wangchuk said he regained six kilos after losing 11 during the fast
• Back in his village, he said Jantar Mantar memories remain vivid
• He praised students and volunteers for discipline, care and shared commitment

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has shared an emotional message of gratitude nearly two weeks after ending his indefinite hunger strike, thanking supporters for standing by him and saying they had restored his faith in India's youth, democracy and the nation.

In a 4-minute, 34-second video posted on X, Wangchuk said it had been 12 days since he ended his fast and five days since he returned to his remote village.

"It's five days since I'm back in my remote village and 12 days since I broke my fast. I've regained six of the 11 kilos I lost. Thank you all for restoring my faith and hope in the youth, in the nation, and in democracy again," he wrote alongside the video.

Wangchuk said he had lost around 11 kg during the hunger strike but had already regained 6 kg and expected to return to his normal routine within a few weeks.

JANTAR MANTRA MEMORIES STAY WITH ME

Although he has returned home, Wangchuk said the memories of the protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar remain fresh.

"Whenever I close my eyes, the scenes from Jantar Mantar come back to me," he said. He praised Generation Z, saying the protest had disproved the perception that young people are lazy or self-centred.

"I have always believed that if young people are given respect and responsibility, there is no one better than them. What I witnessed at Jantar Mantar proved me right," he said.

According to Wangchuk, students and volunteers consistently put others before themselves, supported one another through difficult moments and showed extraordinary commitment during the protest.

INDIA'S YOUTH'S AMONG THE WORLD'S BEST

Drawing on his travels around the world, Wangchuk said India's young people were among the best he had encountered.

"I have travelled to many countries and met people from around the world. I can say with confidence that India's youth is among the best in the world," he said.

He added, however, that the country's real challenge lay with the older generation, particularly political leaders, saying he would speak about that at another time.

THANKS VOLUNTEERS, DOCTORS AND SUPPORTERS

Wangchuk thanked CJP volunteers, core committee members, doctors who monitored his health, student unions, donors, gurdwaras that provided accommodation and food, political parties, farmer organisations, media outlets, content creators, police personnel and government officials who supported or facilitated the protest.

He reserved special thanks for the people of India.

"You have shown that in a democracy, it is ultimately the people who hold the power," he said.

Reflecting on his role in public movements, Wangchuk said he saw himself as someone who gives a stalled vehicle an initial push before it starts moving on its own.

"I was with you until your vehicle started moving. Now I will probably help another movement," he said.

He ended his message on a hopeful note.

"We will meet again somewhere along the way. Wherever I am, I will never be far from you. Stay connected. Thank you once again. Jai Hind."

Earlier during the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day indefinite hunger strike after weeks of negotiations with the Centre, breaking the fast in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. Wangchuk had launched the strike in support of students protesting irregularities in competitive examinations and demanding accountability for paper leaks.

During the fast, he was shifted to a hospital after doctors advised close monitoring of his health. The Centre assured him that the issue of accountability for paper leaks across India would be discussed by all political parties in Parliament.

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