An Organic Decision": Gitanjali J Angmo Backs Husband Sonam Wangchuk on Day 19 of Hunger Strike
NEW DELHI — As climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar entered its 19th consecutive day on Thursday, his wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, publicly voiced her unwavering support for his actions.
Addressing his decision to align with the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in their ongoing agitation over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, Angmo described his involvement as an "organic" extension of his lifelong commitment to student welfare and educational reform.
Safeguarding the Movement
Wangchuk has been fasting since June 28, amplifying the CJP's demand for the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. While his alignment with the newly formed, satirically named political movement surprised some observers, Angmo clarified his motivations during a recent interaction with The Hindu.
She emphasized that his decision was deliberate and protective. According to Angmo, Wangchuk joined the sit-in to ensure that the genuine grievances of the students were not hijacked or sabotaged by "nefarious" elements looking to derail the movement.
As Wangchuk's deteriorating health continues to draw national attention, the spotlight has naturally expanded to include his equally accomplished partner. But who exactly is Gitanjali J Angmo?
From Corporate Boardrooms to Himalayan Education
Gitanjali J Angmo is a formidable force in the realms of social entrepreneurship and alternative education. Born in Balasore, Odisha, to a Punjabi family, she built a robust academic foundation, earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from Fakir Mohan University before completing an MBA at the Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB).
Following her education, Angmo spent six years climbing the corporate ladder. However, driven by a desire to "live for a cause larger than herself," she transitioned into social entrepreneurship. She founded multiple ventures, including the publishing house Helios Books, AUM Hospitals, and the AUM Trust, focusing on holistic wellness and education.
Her most prominent undertaking arrived in 2017 when she co-founded the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL) alongside Wangchuk. Functioning as an alternative university, HIAL prioritizes contextual, experiential learning designed to solve real-world problems faced by mountain communities, actively discarding rote learning methodologies.
A Meeting of Kindred Souls
The story of how the two prominent educators met is a testament to their shared vision. In a 2025 interview with Brut, Angmo revealed that they crossed paths at an education conference.
“It was so interesting to see that we were finishing each other's sentences. There was so much similarity in the way we wanted to work in the field of education and life in general,” she recalled. Describing the encounter as finding a "kindred soul," she noted that their mutual passion for social reform and a shared love for travel forged a deep and immediate bond.
A Multifaceted Life
Beyond her impressive professional credentials, Angmo boasts a highly diverse personal profile. She is a dedicated martial artist, holding a Black Belt in karate, and remarkably won a World Championship in the United States in 2009.
She is also deeply rooted in her spirituality. Describing herself as a practicing Hindu, her official bio notes that she is “a life-long student of Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy, Vedas and the Upanishads,” principles that she frequently integrates into her educational frameworks.
As Sonam Wangchuk continues his grueling fast at Jantar Mantar, he does so with the steadfast backing of a partner whose life's work is equally dedicated to reshaping the future of India's youth.
Our Final Thoughts
Gitanjali J Angmo’s public endorsement of Sonam Wangchuk’s fast adds a profound layer of personal and intellectual credibility to his involvement in the CJP protests. It is clear that Wangchuk isn't merely lending his fame to a viral movement; he is actively trying to anchor and protect the students' agitation from political hijacking. Angmo's own remarkable journey—from a corporate MBA and Karate World Champion to an alternative education pioneer in Ladakh—proves that this is a family deeply committed to systemic reform. As the government continues to ignore the hunger strike, they are now facing the combined moral weight of two of India's most respected modern educators.
