New Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday ended his 26-day indefinite hunger strike after the Centre gave a series of written assurances, including that no cases would be registered against peaceful protesters and that Parliament would hold a detailed discussion on the alleged NEET paper leak and examination reforms.
Wangchuk broke his fast shortly after midnight at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram in the presence of Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, Union Minister Jitendra Singh and his wife, bringing to an end a fast that began on June 28 in support of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) agitation demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
In a video message posted on X, Wangchuk said he ended the fast after “long negotiations” with the government and in view of the possibility of violence if the agitation continued. He said he would later explain the conditions under which he agreed to end the hunger strike.
Sharing the written assurance provided by the government, Wangchuk said the Centre had agreed that no cases would be registered against students and youths who participated peacefully in the protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar or in the July 20 march towards Parliament.
“The government also gave assurance that there will be no cases registered against the peacefully protesting students and youths,” Wangchuk said while sharing the document signed by Union ministers.
According to the written assurance, the government has also reiterated its commitment to hold a comprehensive discussion in Parliament on the NEET paper leak and broader examination reforms. It further stated that the Centre is positively considering suitable compensation for the families of students who died by suicide following the controversy over the alleged paper leak.
Wangchuk revealed that securing protection for protesters from legal action had required prolonged negotiations. He had earlier written to the government seeking an unequivocal assurance that no punitive or retaliatory action would be taken against students participating in the movement, a condition he said delayed the end of his fast by two days.
The activist also noted that more than 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had either met him or appealed to him to end the fast. He thanked the parliamentary representatives as well as Union ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh for engaging in discussions.
Wangchuk had lost nearly 11 kg during the 26-day fast. He was shifted from the Jantar Mantar protest site to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on July 18 before the Delhi High Court directed that he be transferred to a private hospital of his choice after a petition filed by his wife.
Despite Wangchuk ending his fast, the protest at Jantar Mantar continued through the night. Hundreds of supporters remained at the site, with volunteers distributing food, drinking water and hand fans while doctors continued to monitor protesters from a temporary medical camp. Slogans, songs and cultural performances continued as demonstrators reaffirmed their commitment to the movement.
Many protesters were unaware that Wangchuk had ended his fast because mobile internet services remained suspended within a 1.5-km radius of the protest site. Several supporters said they learnt of the development only after leaving the restricted zone and regaining mobile connectivity.
Those who returned to Jantar Mantar after hearing the news said the movement had always been larger than any individual. Protesters maintained that their focus remained on justice for students affected by the alleged examination irregularities and accountability from the government.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke welcomed Wangchuk’s decision to end the fast, describing his sacrifice as one that had “awakened the conscience of the nation”. However, he made it clear that the agitation would continue.
“We are relieved and grateful that Sonam sir has ended his hunger strike after 26 days. By putting your own life on the line, you awakened the conscience of an entire nation. The protest at Jantar Mantar will continue till Dharmendra Pradhan resigns,” Dipke said in a post on X.
Hours before Wangchuk ended his fast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced what he described as the government’s strongest response yet to the paper leak controversy. In a video message released late Thursday night, the Prime Minister said the Centre was preparing legislation providing for fast-track courts and tougher punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks.
Modi said paper leaks had caused immense distress to lakhs of students and their families and announced that a draft proposal would be placed before the Union Cabinet on Friday before being introduced in Parliament as early as next week.
The Prime Minister also said the government’s immediate priority had been to ensure that students did not lose an academic year. According to him, examinations for around 22 lakh candidates had been conducted within a short period and the results were declared on July 19. He added that several arrests had already been made in connection with the alleged paper leak.
Earlier on Thursday, Modi had also stated in a post on X that nothing was more important than the welfare and future of the country’s youth and announced the decision to establish fast-track courts to deal with paper leak cases.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, however, dismissed the Prime Minister’s announcement, arguing that it failed to address the protesters’ principal demand.
“Our students are demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Don’t insult their intelligence with this pathetic midnight video,” Gandhi said in a post on X. He also demanded action against those responsible for the police action on students and an apology from the government.
Meanwhile, the Centre announced a key bureaucratic reshuffle in the education sector. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet appointed senior IAS officer Naresh Pal Gangwar as Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, replacing Vineet Joshi, who has been transferred as Secretary in the Department of Panchayati Raj.
Although Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike, the CJP has made it clear that the protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until the government accepts its principal demands, including the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and accountability for the alleged examination irregularities.
