Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday ended his 26-day indefinite hunger strike after the Centre assured action on several demands linked to the ongoing protests over alleged examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak controversy.
In a post on X, Wangchuk announced that he had concluded his fast after receiving assurances from the government that accountability in the country’s examination system would be discussed in Parliament. He also said the Centre promised compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak and assured that no cases would be filed against peaceful protesters.
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The breakthrough came after Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram around midnight. Wangchuk said he broke his fast in the presence of the ministers and senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh.
Calling it the “end of hunger and beginning of accountability”, Wangchuk said around 65 Members of Parliament from various political parties had either visited him or appealed to him to end the fast. He added that the decision followed prolonged negotiations and concerns over possible violence, promising to share the details of the discussions in a separate video.
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.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been spearheading the protest at Jantar Mantar, welcomed Wangchuk’s decision but maintained that its agitation would continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.
Wangchuk had joined the CJP-led protest on June 28 in support of demands for accountability in competitive examinations, education reforms and Pradhan’s resignation. During the fast, he reportedly lost around 11 kilograms and continued the protest from Medanta Hospital after being shifted there from Safdarjung Hospital.
