New Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday ended his 26-day indefinite hunger strike after the Union government assured him that several of his key demands would be addressed. He announced the decision after Union Ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him at Medanta Hospital late Thursday night and conveyed the government’s assurances.
“Just now, in the presence of Union Ministers J P Nadda, Dr Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh, I finally broke my fast after 26 days,” Wangchuk said in a post on X.
Following Wangchuk’s announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged him to focus on his recovery.
“I urge Sonam ji to follow his daily routine as advised by the doctors and regain his weight as soon as possible. I pray to the Almighty that Sonam ji remains healthy,” Modi said in a post on X.
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
Reading out the government’s assurances in the presence of Wangchuk, his wife Gitanjali Angmo and others at the hospital, Union Health Minister Nadda said the government was positively inclined towards not registering cases against those who protested peacefully at Jantar Mantar and those who participated in the July 20 march to Parliament.
“The government is positive on not registering cases against those protesting peacefully at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and those who participated in the march to Parliament on July 20, 2026,” Nadda said.
He added that the government had already assured discussions in Parliament on paper leaks and reforms in the examination system.
“Besides, the government is also positively considering suitable compensation for the families of students who died by suicide in connection with the recent NEET paper leak controversy,” Nadda said.
Wangchuk said that 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had either visited him or signed letters urging him to end his fast.
“This was done after long negotiations on various conditions and in view of the possibility of violence in the country. I will explain the conditions in detail in a separate video very soon. Meanwhile, I urge everyone to remain vigilant and ensure that no violence takes place anywhere,” he said.
CJP protest to continue
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) said it was “relieved and grateful” that Wangchuk had ended his fast, but asserted that its peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar would continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.
In a post on X, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke thanked Wangchuk for his “extraordinary courage and sacrifice.”
“We are relieved and grateful that Sonam Sir has ended his hunger strike after 26 days. Thank you, Sir, for your extraordinary courage and sacrifice. By putting your own life on the line, you awakened the conscience of an entire nation. Your life is far too precious to this country,” Dipke said.
“The Cockroach Janata Party’s peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns,” he added.
Wangchuk joined the CJP-led agitation at Jantar Mantar on June 28 and began an indefinite hunger strike in support of students demanding accountability for alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system and the resignation of the Union Education Minister.
During the 26-day fast, he reportedly lost around 11 kg and repeatedly appealed to supporters to keep the movement peaceful despite the police crackdown on the July 20 “Sansad Chalo” march.
On July 18, Delhi Police shifted Wangchuk from the protest site to Safdarjung Hospital, citing medical concerns. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, challenged the move before the Delhi High Court, arguing that he was being kept at the government hospital against his wishes. The court later facilitated his transfer to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he continued his fast.
During his stay at Medanta, Wangchuk said he wanted to return to his students and continue his work as an educator, but could not end his hunger strike without ensuring safeguards for the young protesters.
