Sonam Wangchuk calls off hunger strike after 26 days

India's prominent social activist Sonam Wangchuk called off his indefinite hunger strike in solidarity with Cockroach Janta Party's agitation against alleged exam irregularities after the government assured him that his demands would be met.

Wangchuk announced the end of his 26 day fast after federal ministers Jagat Prakash Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him at the Medanta Hospital in Gurugram around Thursday midnight and conveyed the government's assurances.

"Just now in the presence of Union Ministers J P 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.

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.

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 (Education Minister) Dharmendra Pradhan resigns," he added.

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," Modi said.

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 20 July, 2026."

The Indian health minister further said the government had already assured discussions in Parliament on paper leaks and education reforms for examinations.

"Besides, the government is also positively considering suitable compensation for the suicide victims of recent NEET paper leaks," Nadda added.

Wangchuk said a total of 65 MPs 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.

Besides seeking Pradhan's resignation, the CJP has demanded accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system, Rs 1 crore compensation for families of students who died by suicide following the alleged NEET paper leak, and the withdrawal of all FIRs and legal action against peaceful protesters who participated in the movement.

Wangchuk joined the CJP-led agitation at Jantar Mantar on 28 June. He began an indefinite hunger strike in support of the students demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system and the resignation of Pradhan.

Over the next 26 days, he lost around 11 kg and repeatedly appealed for the movement to remain peaceful despite the police crackdown on the 20 July 'Sansad Chalo' march.

On 18 July, the Delhi Police shifted Wangchuk from the protest site to Safdarjung Hospital, stating he required medical attention.

His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, challenged the move before the Delhi High Court, contending that he was being kept in the government hospital against his wishes. The High Court subsequently facilitated his transfer to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he continued his fast.