New Delhi, July 24: Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his indefinite hunger strike shortly after midnight on Thursday at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram after accepting government assurances following prolonged negotiations, he said, bringing to a close a fast that had become a focal point of nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak.
Wangchuk broke his fast in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh, senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh and his wife, Gitanjali.
In a post on X, Wangchuk said he had ended his fast after “26 days” following extensive discussions with the government.
“Just now in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda & Dr. Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of Apex Body of Leh Ladakh I finally broke my fast after 26 days,” Wangchuk wrote.
Just now in the presence of Union Ministers 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/lgRgNbiKVM
— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) July 23, 2026
He said the decision came “after a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country,” adding that he would explain the agreed conditions in a separate video.
“Meanwhile I urge you all to stay very vigillant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere,” he said.
Wangchuk also said that 65 members of Parliament from different political parties had either visited him or signed letters urging him to end his fast.
The activist had been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 after joining the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET paper leak. He began the fast in solidarity with students demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and broader reforms to the education system.
His participation made him one of the most prominent faces of the youth-led protest movement, drawing widespread public attention.
On July 18, Wangchuk was removed from the protest site at Jantar Mantar and admitted to Safdarjung Hospital before being shifted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he continued his hunger strike until ending it on Thursday night.
The development came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a video message promising tougher action against paper leaks.
More strict actions against paper leaks to come in tomorrow’s Cabinet! pic.twitter.com/NRysBukk5U
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2026
Modi said the Union Cabinet would discuss stricter measures against paper leaks at its meeting on Friday before finalising a proposed law to be introduced in Parliament next week.
“Tomorrow, there will be a discussion in the cabinet. After the suggestions of the cabinet members, it will be given its final form,” Modi said in the video message.
“And from Monday, when the second week of parliament starts, we will try to get that bill passed as soon as possible,” he added.
According to the prime minister, the proposed legislation would provide for fast-track courts and stricter punishment in paper leak cases.
