New Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike late Thursday night after the Centre assured that no legal action would be taken against peaceful protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and those who participated in the July 20 march to Parliament.
Wangchuk broke his fast at Gurugram’s Medanta Hospital in the presence of Union Health Minister JP Nadda, Union Minister Jitendra Singh, senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh and his wife, Gitanjali Angmo. Visuals showed the ministers helping him take his first sip to conclude the fast.
In a post shared shortly after midnight, Wangchuk said he had decided to end the hunger strike after “long negotiations” and in view of concerns over possible violence across the country. He added that he would soon release a detailed video explaining the conditions under which he agreed to end the protest while urging people to remain peaceful and vigilant.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Wangchuk’s decision and wished him a speedy recovery.
“I urge Sonam ji to follow the doctors’ advice and regain his previous weight as soon as possible. I pray to God that Sonam ji remains healthy,” the Prime Minister said.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke also welcomed the development, calling Wangchuk’s sacrifice an inspiration that awakened the nation’s conscience. However, he reiterated that the party would continue pressing its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
A video released from the hospital showed Wangchuk expressing gratitude after ending the fast. During the same event, JP Nadda read out the Centre’s assurances, stating that the government was positively considering refraining from registering cases against peaceful protesters at Jantar Mantar and participants in the Parliament march.
The minister also said the Centre had committed to addressing examination paper leaks through reforms, parliamentary discussions and stronger legal measures. Additionally, the government is considering appropriate compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide in connection with the recent NEET paper leak controversy.
The announcement comes shortly after the Centre initiated several measures on the paper leak issue, including the removal of the Education Secretary, the formation of fast-track courts to hear paper leak cases and the proposed introduction of a stricter anti-paper leak law during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Wangchuk had begun his indefinite hunger strike on June 28, demanding accountability over examination paper leaks and broader reforms in the education system. He had been protesting alongside members of the Cockroach Janta Party at Jantar Mantar before being shifted to Safdarjung Hospital after his removal from the protest site.
After refusing to end his fast at the government hospital, his wife approached the Delhi High Court alleging inadequate medical care. The court subsequently permitted his transfer to Medanta Hospital, where he continued the hunger strike.
According to his latest medical update, Wangchuk lost nearly 11 kilograms during the 26-day fast.
The activist has previously undertaken several prolonged hunger strikes. In 2024, he completed a 21-day fast in Ladakh while surviving only on water and salt to demand legal safeguards for the region’s resources. He was also detained under the National Security Act (NSA) last year following protests related to Ladakh’s statehood and Sixth Schedule demands.
Wangchuk is widely recognised for his work in education and sustainable innovation, with many believing his life inspired the fictional character Phunsukh Wangdu in the Bollywood film 3 Idiots.
