Prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk officially ended his 26-day hunger strike at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on July 24, following extensive negotiations with the Union government. He broke his fast with a sip of juice, offered by Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Union Minister Jitendra Singh, with his wife Gitanjali Angmo by his side.
Wangchuk's decision to end the protest came only after the Centre formally provided written assurances, a condition he had insisted upon, prolonging the strike for two additional days beyond his initial plans. In his first video message post-fast, Wangchuk detailed the government's commitments.
Key Assurances Secured
- No Cases Against Protesters: The government pledged not to register cases against individuals who participated in peaceful protests, including the 'Chalo Parliament' march on July 20, 2026.
- Parliamentary Discussion on NEET: Assurances were given that Parliament would engage in discussions regarding accountability within the examination system, specifically addressing the NEET-UG paper leak controversy and broader examination reforms.
- Compensation Consideration: The Centre also indicated it is "positively considering suitable compensation" for the families of students who tragically died by suicide in the wake of the NEET paper leak.
Wangchuk described the final two days as a "very strict kind of bargain" to secure the written commitments. The resolution was also influenced by appeals from approximately 65 Members of Parliament across various political parties, who assured him that the NEET paper leak and examination reform issues would be raised in Parliament.
The Agitation's Roots
Sonam Wangchuk had launched his indefinite hunger strike to support students protesting the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and to demand greater accountability from the examination system. The movement, notably spearheaded by the 'Cockroach Janta Party', garnered significant national attention, with thousands joining demonstrations nationwide. The 'Chalo Parliament' march on July 20 brought the agitation directly to New Delhi, amplifying calls for reform and justice.