New Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk has opened up about ending his 26-day hunger strike amid criticism that he had struck a deal with the Union government. He clarified that he ended his fast only after receiving the government's written assurances, fearing an imminent crackdown on protesters and wanting to prevent violence, recalling the September 24, 2025, firing on youths in Ladakh.
In a YouTube video posted late Friday night, Wangchuk dismissed allegations that he had reached a deal with the government. He emphasised that his primary objective was to ensure that students involved in the protests would not face violence or legal consequences.
He explained that he did not insist on the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during the negotiations because his immediate priority was to protect protesters from legal action. Wangchuk, however, expressed confidence that Pradhan would eventually resign.
"Last night around midnight, I was told the ministers had agreed to give the assurance in writing. I was in a hurry because the situation in Delhi was such that there was apprehension of a major crackdown. I was watching reports and was reminded of September 24, 2025, when police and CRPF personnel mercilessly fired at the youth of Ladakh. I feared something similar could happen here. I felt that if I ended my fast and appealed for peace, perhaps the situation could be defused," he said.
AFTER 26 DAYS OF HUNGER DO I NEED TO PROVE MY SINCERITY !!!
— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) July 24, 2026
Do please watch and help spread the word. Find the full 22 minutes video on my YouTube Channel: Sonam Wangchuk pic.twitter.com/6CO3tjZsSD
Responding to criticism over ending his fast in the presence of Union ministers, Wangchuk said those questioning his decision were unaware of the circumstances he faced after being shifted from the protest site.
"If I had to make a deal, would I have remained hungry for 26 days? Could I not have struck a deal while sitting in an air-conditioned room instead of fasting in Delhi's heat?" he asked.
Treated like a prisoner, denied free movement
Wangchuk alleged that after he was taken to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18, he was treated "like a prisoner", claiming he was denied free movement, prevented from meeting visitors, and not allowed to keep a mobile phone or laptop.
"It was like being in North Korea," he alleged, adding that even after the Delhi High Court permitted his transfer to Medanta Hospital, he was prevented from leaving Safdarjung Hospital for several hours.
He said Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him at Medanta Hospital and agreed to positively consider compensation for families of students who died by suicide following the alleged NEET paper leak, as well as a discussion in Parliament on accountability and reforms in the examination system.
However, Wangchuk said he refused to end his fast without a written assurance that no legal action would be taken against peaceful protesters.
"They initially agreed to compensation and a discussion in Parliament but were not ready to assure that no cases would be filed against protesting students. They offered only a verbal assurance. I insisted on a written assurance and did not relent until they agreed," he said.
Reiterating that protecting students remained his foremost concern, Wangchuk said the resignation of the education minister was not his immediate objective.
"My focus was that students should not suffer. My main concern was legal action and FIRs. I did not think it was necessary for me personally to secure the minister's resignation," he said, expressing confidence that the ongoing movement would continue pressing that demand.
Wangchuk also said he had hoped to end his fast in the presence of MPs, members of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), and representatives from Ladakh, but claimed many of them were not allowed to meet him before the Union ministers arrived late at night.
"The biggest sorrow in my heart is that my colleagues, the students and the MPs who had come to support me could not be present when I ended my fast," he said.
Wangchuk ended his hunger strike shortly after midnight on Thursday after the Centre gave a written assurance that it was positively considering not registering cases against peaceful protesters, would hold a detailed discussion in Parliament on examination reforms and paper leaks, and was also positively considering compensation for families of students who died by suicide following the alleged NEET paper leak.
He had been on an indefinite fast since June 28 after joining the Cockroach Janata Party-led agitation demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
