Centre's Assurances End Sonam Wangchuk's 26-Day Hunger Strike

Activist and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk on Friday ended his 26-day hunger strike after the Centre provided a series of assurances aimed at addressing concerns raised during the ongoing nationwide protests over alleged examination irregularities. The development follows days of negotiations between senior government leaders and Wangchuk, who had been fasting in support of students demanding greater accountability in the examination system.

Wangchuk, who was undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, formally ended his fast in the presence of Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Dr. Jitendra Singh. The two ministers met the activist late on Thursday after discussions between the government and representatives associated with the protest movement.

According to reports, the breakthrough came after the Centre assured Wangchuk that no punitive or retaliatory legal action would be taken against students and others who participated in peaceful demonstrations. The government also committed to discussing issues related to examination accountability and the alleged NEET paper leak while continuing dialogue with stakeholders.

The nearly four-week hunger strike had become a focal point of nationwide protests triggered by allegations of irregularities in competitive examinations. While initially centred on the NEET paper leak controversy, the movement expanded into broader demands for transparency, stronger safeguards against examination fraud, and institutional accountability.

In a statement after ending his fast, Wangchuk said the decision was taken after receiving written assurances from the government and appeals from public representatives. He stressed that ending the hunger strike should not be seen as the end of the movement but as the beginning of a renewed push for accountability through democratic means.

Despite Wangchuk's decision, protest organisers have indicated that demonstrations will continue until their broader demands are addressed. Leaders associated with the movement have maintained that the campaign for education reforms and accountability remains active, even as they welcomed the activist's decision to prioritise his health.

The Centre has also announced additional measures to strengthen the examination system, including plans for tougher action against paper leaks and faster legal proceedings in such cases. Officials believe these steps, along with continued engagement with protest leaders, will help restore confidence among students and the public. With Wangchuk's hunger strike now over, attention will shift to whether the government's assurances translate into concrete policy action. Student groups and civil society organisations are expected to closely monitor the implementation of the promised reforms in the coming weeks.