Sonam Wangchuk Ends 26-Day Fast After Govt Assurance; CJP Protest to Continue

New Delhi, Jul 24: Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday ended his 26-day indefinite hunger strike after receiving assurances from the Union Government that his key demands would be addressed. Wangchuk announced the end of his fast after Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram around midnight and conveyed the government’s commitments. “Just now, in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda, Dr Jitendra Singh and senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh, I finally broke my fast after 26 days,” Wangchuk said in a post on X. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the decision, urging Wangchuk to follow medical advice and recover quickly. “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,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X. Reading out the government’s assurances at the hospital, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said the Centre was positively considering not registering cases against those who participated peacefully in the Jantar Mantar protests and the July 20 ‘Sansad Chalo’ march to Parliament. Nadda also said the government had already agreed to hold discussions in Parliament on the issue of examination paper leaks and reforms in the examination system. He added that the Centre was positively considering suitable compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the recent NEET paper leak controversy. Wangchuk said that 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had either visited him or signed letters urging him to end his 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 everyone to ensure that the movement remains completely peaceful,” he said. Despite Wangchuk ending his fast, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been leading the agitation, said its protest at Jantar Mantar would continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke thanked Wangchuk for his “extraordinary courage and sacrifice,” saying his fast had awakened the conscience of the nation. “The Cockroach Janta Party’s peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns,” Dipke said. Apart from seeking Pradhan’s resignation, the CJP has demanded accountability for the alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, comprehensive education reforms, Rs 1 crore compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET controversy, and withdrawal of FIRs and legal action against peaceful protesters. Wangchuk joined the CJP-led protest at Jantar Mantar on June 28 and began an indefinite hunger strike in support of students demanding accountability for alleged examination irregularities, reforms in the education system and the resignation of the Union Education Minister. During the 26-day fast, Wangchuk reportedly lost around 11 kg. On July 18, Delhi Police shifted him from the protest site to Safdarjung Hospital, citing concerns over his health. Following a petition filed by his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, the Delhi High Court facilitated his transfer to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he continued his fast until ending it after the government’s assurances.