New Delhi, July 24: Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26 day hunger strike on Friday after the Centre assured him that the issue of examination paper leak accountability would be discussed by political parties in Parliament.
Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh were present when Wangchuk ended his fast at the hospital.
Visuals from the hospital showed JP Nadda offering Wangchuk his first sip of liquid, while Jitendra Singh assisted him. Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, was present during the moment.
Speaking after ending the fast, Wangchuk thanked those who supported him and acknowledged his wife’s constant support throughout the protest.
In a post on X, Wangchuk said he decided to end the fast after prolonged negotiations with the Centre and concerns that the agitation could turn violent. He added that he would soon explain the conditions agreed upon during the discussions.
Just now in the presence of Union Ministers Sh. JP Nadda, Dr. Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of Apex Body of Leh Ladakh I finally broke my fast after 26 days. Earlier 65 members of parliament from different political parties had visited or signed letters urging me to break… pic.twitter.com/RFCet7Oksy
— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) July 23, 2026
He also appealed to supporters to maintain peace and avoid any form of violence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Wangchuk’s decision and wished him a speedy recovery. In a message on X, the Prime Minister urged him to follow medical advice and regain his health.
मैं सोनम जी से आग्रह करता हूँ की वो डॉक्टरों की सलाह के अनुसार अपनी दिनचर्या रखें और जल्द से जल्द अपना पुराना वज़न फिर से प्राप्त करें।
मैं प्रभु से प्रार्थना करता हूँ कि सोनम जी स्वस्थ रहें।@Wangchuk66 @GitanjaliAngmo
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2026
Wangchuk began his indefinite fast on June 28 after joining the student led protest at Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET paper leak. The movement has demanded education reforms, accountability in examination irregularities and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
During the fast, Wangchuk was shifted from the protest site to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital and later transferred to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram after legal intervention. Doctors said he had lost around 11 kilograms during the protest.
Meanwhile, the Centre announced that the Union Cabinet would consider a draft law proposing stricter punishment and fast track courts for examination paper leak cases. The government also carried out senior level changes in the Ministry of Education.
DAY 26
PEACE & ONLY PEACE IS MY WAY…
While at Jantar Mantar the protests remain peaceful I’m pained to learn that elsewhere some antisocial elements are taking advantage of the peaceful protests to provoke violence.
No matter what the other side does our response must only be…— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) July 23, 2026
Although Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike, the student led agitation continues, with organisers maintaining their demands for reforms and ministerial accountability.
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