Sonam Wangchuk ends 26-day hunger strike after 'long negotiations', urges CJP protesters to maintain peace

He concluded his fast in the presence of Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh.

Visuals from the hospital showed Jitendra Singh helping Wangchuk sit up in bed before Nadda offered him the first sip from a cup to formally end the fast.

Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, remained beside him during the occasion.

"I'm grateful and happy to break my fast. Thank you," Wangchuk said before turning to his wife and adding, "Gitanjali has always been by my side. I don't want to thank you but express my feelings."

Fast ends after weeks of negotiations

According to sources, Nadda and Singh met Wangchuk after discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Following the meeting, the activist formally concluded his indefinite hunger strike.

Wangchuk later confirmed the development in a post on X, saying he had decided to end his fast after "long negotiations" and in view of concerns that the agitation could turn violent.

"Just now, in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh, I finally broke my fast after 26 days," he wrote.

He added that 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had either met him personally or appealed to him to end the hunger strike.

"This was done after a long negotiation 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," Wangchuk said.

Appeals for calm and non-violence

Even after ending the fast, Wangchuk urged supporters to continue the movement peacefully and remain vigilant against any attempt to trigger violence.

"Meanwhile, I urge you all to stay very vigilant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere," he wrote.

Hours before concluding the hunger strike, Wangchuk had expressed concern over reports that "anti-social elements" were allegedly trying to provoke violence, while maintaining that the protests at Jantar Mantar had remained peaceful.

"Peace and only peace is my way," he said in another post on X, urging demonstrators not to respond with violence "no matter what the other side does".

Background of the protest

Wangchuk began his indefinite hunger strike on June 28 after joining the student-led agitation at Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET examination paper leak.

The movement, led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), has been demanding education reforms, accountability over alleged examination irregularities and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Last week, police shifted Wangchuk from the protest site to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital.

He declined to end his fast there, following which his wife approached the Delhi High Court, alleging inadequate medical treatment.

The court subsequently allowed his transfer to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.

Doctors had earlier stated that Wangchuk had lost around 11 kg during the course of his hunger strike.

Centre announces measures on exam reforms

Wangchuk's decision came hours after the Centre announced a series of measures concerning the alleged NEET paper leak.

On Thursday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Union Cabinet would consider a draft law proposing fast-track courts and stricter punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks.

In a video message, the Prime Minister said the government had ensured that students did not lose an academic year by conducting a re-examination and declaring the results, but added that it was "not satisfied" with those measures alone.

He said the proposed legislation would include provisions for speedy trials and tougher penalties before being introduced in Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session after Cabinet approval.

The government also carried out a senior-level bureaucratic reshuffle in the Ministry of Education.

Naresh Kumar Gangwar was appointed Higher Education Secretary, while T K Anil Kumar took charge as Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy.

Former Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, who had also been serving as acting UGC chairperson, was transferred to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

CJP protest continues

Although Wangchuk has ended his fast, the wider agitation led by the Cockroach Janata Party continues.

The organisation has announced plans for nationwide protests and has reiterated its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Shortly after Sonam Wangchuk broke his 26-day fast, CJP founding president Abhijeet Dipke wrote on X: "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," he said.

Dipke added that CJP's "peaceful protest" at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.