Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday ended his 26-day hunger strike after receiving a series of assurances from the Centre, saying he was grateful for the government’s response while making it clear that
he would not dictate how ministerial accountability should be determined.
Before breaking his fast, Wangchuk also issued a strong appeal for peace, saying he did not approve of violence of any kind and urging protesters not to allow anti-social elements to hijack the movement.
The activist ended his fast in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh-Ladakh, doctors, family members and supporters after what he later described as a “long negotiation” over various conditions.
‘Government Has Shown Sensitivity’: Wangchuk
Before ending his fast, Wangchuk thanked the Centre for responding to the concerns of students and families affected by the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy.
“I am grateful that the government has shown sensitivity towards the children, towards the victims, towards the youth who were peacefully protesting on those dates,” Wangchuk said.
He added that both the ruling party and Opposition MPs had assured him that Parliament would deliberate on reforms to the examination system.
“And that both the ruling party and MPs from the opposition have assured me that their discussions will happen on the floor of the Parliament regarding reforms in the examination system,” he said.
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According to Wangchuk, those discussions would not only focus on reforms but also on ensuring accountability so that similar incidents never recur.
“And that we will also be discussing the accountability for such lapses and that we all make sure that such things never happen. No child, no parent will have to go through what these 20 children and their parents have to go through,” he said.
Leaves Accountability To Government
Significantly, Wangchuk stopped short of demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, instead saying the question of accountability should be left to the government’s judgment.
“I am happy that you have assured me that, and I am sure that the children have been demanding. At the suitable time, I am no one to dictate. You will take accountability in the ministry with the minister also as a responsibility, and I am sure you are already considering,” Wangchuk said.
His remarks marked a measured position, expressing confidence that the government would decide on ministerial accountability at an appropriate time rather than making it a condition for ending his fast.
Wangchuk also appealed to protesting students across the country to maintain peace and ensure that their movement remained genuine.
“I want to appeal to the protesting students to maintain utmost peace. To express their feelings is a legitimate thing. But I do not approve of violence of any kind, and allowing any antisocial elements to take advantage of this is not acceptable to me. It should be a genuine demand by genuinely concerned people in the state,” he said.
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With those remarks, Wangchuk announced that he was ending his fast.
“So, with that being fulfilled, I am grateful, and I will be happy to break my fast. Thank you,” he said.
Medical staff then helped him sip liquids to formally end the 26-day hunger strike.
What The Government Assured
Before Wangchuk spoke, Union Health Minister JP Nadda read out the government’s assurances.
Nadda said the government was positive on not registering cases against those who had participated peacefully in the protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and the march to Parliament on July 20.
He also said the Centre had already assured Parliament of measures to tackle paper leaks and bring educational reforms to the examination system.
According to Nadda, the government was also “positively considering suitable compensations for the suicide victims of recent NEET paper leaks.”
These assurances formed the basis on which Wangchuk agreed to end his fast.
‘Long Negotiation’ Before Ending Fast
Later, in a post on X, Wangchuk said he had ended the fast after “a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country.”
He revealed that 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had either met him or signed letters requesting him to end the hunger strike.
Wangchuk said he would explain the conditions of the agreement in detail in a separate video and once again urged people to remain vigilant against violence.
Dipke Continues To Demand Pradhan’s Resignation
Even as Wangchuk chose not to insist on the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) maintained its demand.
CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke thanked Wangchuk for his “extraordinary courage and sacrifice,” saying he had “awakened the conscience of an entire nation.”
However, Dipke also announced that the party’s agitation would continue.
“The Cockroach Janta Party’s peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns,” he said in a post on X.
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