Hunger strikes have repeatedly shaped Indian politics, most notably when Potti Sriramulu’s 58-day fast in 1952 helped secure a separate Andhra state for Telugu speakers and contributed to India’s later linguistic reorganisation. The article argues that this legacy, rooted in religious traditions and amplified by Mahatma Gandhi, explains why fasting remains a potent form of protest despite concerns about its ethics and risks.

The immediate example is Sonam Wangchuk, a 59-year-old educationist and climate activist who has fasted for 19 days on salt water in Delhi in support of an online satirical group demanding education reforms. He has reportedly lost more than 9kg, and the Delhi High Court has directed the government to monitor his health and provide treatment if necessary; the episode highlights both the continuing political symbolism of hunger strikes and their personal cost.