Sonam Wangchuk brought his 26-day hunger strike to a close in New Delhi on July 24 after the government gave him assurances that his demands would be addressed.
He made the announcement following a meeting at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh visited him around midnight on Thursday to promise the government's commitments.
In a post on X, Wangchuk said he had broken his fast in the presence of the two ministers and senior leaders from the Apex Body of Leh, Ladakh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded on X, asking Wangchuk to follow his doctors' guidance and focus on regaining his health, adding a prayer for his wellbeing.
At the hospital, with Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali Angmo present, Nadda outlined the government's assurances: that no cases would be filed against those who protested peacefully at Jantar Mantar or took part in the July 20, 2026, march to Parliament and that Parliament would hold discussions on paper leaks and exam-related education reforms.
Nadda also said the government was considering appropriate compensation for the families of students who died by suicide following the NEET paper leaks.
Wangchuk noted that 65 MPs across party lines had either visited him or signed appeals urging him to end the fast and said the decision came after extended negotiations over several conditions, partly out of concern about potential unrest.
He said he would lay out the details in a video soon and appealed to supporters to guard against any violence going forward.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which had backed the protest, said it was relieved by Wangchuk's decision and credited him with awakening national conscience through his sacrifice, according to founder Abhijeet Dipke.
However, the party said its own sit-in at Jantar Mantar would continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan steps down.
Beyond Pradhan's resignation, the CJP is demanding accountability for irregularities in competitive exams, education-system reforms, Rs 1 crore in compensation for families of students who died by suicide over the NEET leak, and the withdrawal of all cases against peaceful protesters.
Wangchuk had joined the CJP's demonstration at Jantar Mantar on June 28 and began his fast in solidarity with students seeking accountability over exam irregularities, systemic reforms, and Pradhan's removal.
Over the course of 26 days he lost roughly 11 kg, consistently calling for the protest to stay peaceful even as police cracked down on the July 20 march to Parliament.
On July 18, Delhi Police moved him from the protest site to Safdarjung Hospital, citing medical necessity — a move his wife contested in the Delhi High Court, arguing he was being held there against his will.
The court arranged his transfer to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he continued fasting. He said throughout that he wanted to get back to his students and his work as an educator but couldn't end the fast without guarantees protecting the younger protesters.
Also read:
Follow us
