Prominent environmentalist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike on Friday, July 23, 2026, at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. The decision came after a meeting with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh, during which Wangchuk broke his fast by taking a sip from a cup, with his wife Gitanjali Angmo by his side.
In a post on X shortly after, Wangchuk confirmed the development, acknowledging the presence of the Union Ministers and senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh. He cited extended negotiations and growing fears of escalating violence across the country as key factors in his decision to end the fast. Wangchuk, who had lost over 11 kilograms during his protest, expressed gratitude and promised to detail the conditions of the agreement in an upcoming video. He also noted that 65 Members of Parliament from various political parties had either visited him or urged him to end his fast, emphasizing his commitment to peace.
Background of the Protest and Wangchuk's Demands
Sonam Wangchuk commenced his indefinite hunger strike on June 28, 2026, joining a student-led agitation at Jantar Mantar. This broader protest, spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), focused on critical demands including comprehensive education reforms, accountability for widespread examination irregularities, and the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Wangchuk's health deteriorated during the protest, leading to his removal from the Jantar Mantar site and admission to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. When he refused to end his fast there, his wife petitioned the Delhi High Court, alleging inadequate medical care. The court subsequently permitted his transfer to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he continued his fast until the recent breakthrough. Hours before concluding his strike, Wangchuk issued a peace appeal on X, urging supporters to remain non-violent despite reports of 'anti-social elements' attempting to incite unrest.
Government's Parallel Moves and Ongoing Agitation
The conclusion of Wangchuk's hunger strike coincided with significant government actions addressing some of the underlying concerns. On Thursday night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Cabinet would discuss a draft law aimed at establishing fast-track courts and imposing stricter penalties for those involved in examination paper leaks. While acknowledging the re-examination and declaration of NEET results, PM Modi stated the government was not fully satisfied with these steps alone.
In a related development, the Centre also enacted a major reshuffle within the Education Ministry. Naresh Kumar Gangwar was appointed as the new Higher Education Secretary, and T.K. Anil Kumar took over as Secretary for the Department of School Education and Literacy. Former Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, who also held additional charge of the School Education Department and served as acting UGC chairperson, was transferred to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
Despite Sonam Wangchuk ending his personal fast, the CJP-led agitation has not been called off. The organization has announced plans for nationwide protests and continues to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, indicating that the broader movement for accountability and reform remains active.