Published Jul 16, 2026 | 12:23 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 16, 2026 | 2:33 PM
InJest in a satirical column by South First. Names, places, situations are all fictitious. Caricature by Satish Acharya/South First.
As real-life Phunsukh Wangdu’s hunger strike calling for the Paper Leak Minister’s resignation entered its third week, a race to claim credit and shift blame has intensified.
Under immense pressure from his moral conscience — a rare commodity in the country today — Satire Satya finally chose to do a ground report from the ground.
An unofficial statement made by not the government on the ‘government sources’ WhatsApp group categorically stated that the government has shown full support for the hunger strike.
The long but brief statement read, “The strike has entered its third week with continuous support from the government. It is the government’s endeavour that the strike outlasts those carried out by the USA on Iran.”
Also Read: Retired judges, Supreme Court lawyers join Wangchuk protest
A ‘factsheet’ by those not privy to any conversation detailed how the government had supported the strike, reiterating that protesters were refusing to give due credit.
Questions about the agitators blaming the government for offering no support or dialogue were dismissed more quickly than an opposition’s state government.
“Imagine if we had given in to them; it would not have gone on for more than two days, and no one would be talking about them,” a source told Satire Satya on the condition that his title but not his name be published.
House minister’s son-in-law’s driver told Satire Satya on the condition of anonymity, “We even offered to take away the tents so that they can at least get vitamin D, if not food. But they said no. See, this is why the media never blames us.”
When asked about the health concerns of those on hunger strike, the source said: “Fasting is a good thing and look at the results… other than being in the spotlight, they have lost over eight kilograms! People take months to lose that much weight!”
The source from not-the-government also took credit for making people take notice. “We have made education such an important issue in the country. And in a single sweep, we have linked education with weight loss in a post-Ozempic world.”
Also Read: CJP expresses surprise at Congress’ silence
Another source, who is the above source’s cousin and also a driver to another minister’s relative, congratulated Satire Satya when he asked who should be blamed for the current situation.
“Gandhi, of course,” he said.
Looking at Satya’s confused face, he clarified: “Mahatma, not Rahul.”
“Look at what happened to the British when they gave in to Gandhi’s demands every time he went on a hunger strike. We can’t afford to get thrown out like that on account of human decency.”
He was quick to add a more recent example too. “The previous government of the current Gandhi too fell because they gave in to a hunger strike by Hazare,” he pointed out.
Satya’s question on whether the minister will be removed was dismissed immediately.
“His punishment is that he is a minister. He wanted to be the chief of all ministers in his state, but we have kept him here. That is the master stroke that the protestors are not getting,” came the answer.
(InJest is a satirical column from South First. Names, places, and situations referred to in the satirical piece are fictitious and are not intended to hurt any sentiments. The column is meant to be taken with a pinch of salt and a whole lot of laughs).
