Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his indefinite hunger strike after the government assured him that his demands would be met.
He announced the end of his fast after Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him at the Medanta Hospital in Gurugram around Thursday midnight (July 23) and conveyed the government’s assurances.
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“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 said in a post on X.
PM’s X post for Wangchuk
After Wangchuk announced the end of his hunger strike, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X, “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,” the prime minister added.
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Reading out the government’s assurances to Wangchuk in the presence of his wife Gitanjali Angmo and others at the hospital, Nadda said, “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.” The Union Health Minister further said that the government has already assured discussions in Parliament on paper leaks and education reforms for exams.
“Besides, the government is also positively considering suitable compensation for the suicide victims of recent NEET paper leaks,” Nadda added.
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Wangchuk said that a total of 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had visited or signed letters urging him to break the fast.
“This was done after long negotiations on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country. I will explain the conditions in detail in a separate video very soon. Meanwhile, I urge you all to stay very vigilant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere,” he said in his post on X.
CJP ‘relieved and grateful’
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Friday said it was “relieved and grateful” that activist Sonam Wangchuk had ended his 26-day hunger strike, but asserted that its peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar would continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.
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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 Janta Party’s peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns,” he added.
Rahul attacks PM Modi, lists 3 demands
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday night attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sidestepping the issue of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation in his video message released just before midnight.
In a post on X, Rahul said the prime minister should not insult the intelligence of students.
“Mr Modi, our students are demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Don’t insult their intelligence with this pathetic midnight video. 1. Sack Pradhan. 2. Punish those who beat students. 3. Apologise,” the leader of opposition said in his post.
Prime Minister Modi announced that his government would take strict action against paper leaks and would discuss and finalise a law in this regard in Friday’s meeting of the Union Cabinet.
Modi announced on Thursday that a Bill containing provisions for strong action against paper leaks will be introduced in Parliament next week.
In a video message, Modi also said the contours of the bill will be discussed at the cabinet meeting where the proposed legislation will be finalised.
The cabinet will discuss the issue of paper leaks on Friday, and taking suggestions of the cabinet colleagues, further action will be finalised.
“On Monday, when the second week of the Monsoon session of Parliament will begin, a bill will be brought with provisions for strong action against paper leaks, and we will try to pass it as early as possible,” he said.
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