A reader has criticised the governance response to Sonam Wangchuk’s 19-day indefinite hunger strike, saying that deteriorating health during a protest is a serious democratic failure. The letter says the Delhi High Court deserves credit for ordering regular medical monitoring, but argues that court-ordered health checks cannot replace sustained political engagement.

The central argument is that a democracy must listen to citizens and open dialogue when a protest escalates, rather than wait until medical intervention becomes necessary. The letter treats judicial monitoring as a limited safeguard and says governance must address the grievance itself.

Why the issue matters for UPSC