Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike on Friday, July 24, 2026, after meeting Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where the ministers conveyed government assurances on his demands related to the alleged NEET paper leak and examination reforms. The assurances, Nadda told reporters, included commitments not to register cases against those who took part in peaceful protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and against participants in the march to Parliament on July 20, 2026, as well as a promise to hold detailed parliamentary discussions on paper leaks and education reforms.
Wangchuk broke his fast shortly after midnight in the presence of the two ministers, his wife Gitanjali Angmo and other leaders. During the hospital meeting, Nadda read the government’s assurances to the media and said the Centre was committed to addressing protesters’ concerns. “The government is positive on not registering cases against those protesting peacefully at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, and those participating in the march to the Parliament on July 20, 2026,” he said.
Nadda also said the government would consider appropriate compensation for the families of students who died by suicide following the NEET paper leak and reiterated that Parliament would hold “threadbare discussions” to find solutions to paper leaks and to pursue examination reforms. “Besides, the government is also positively considering suitable compensation for the suicide victims of recent NEET paper leaks,” he added.
Wangchuk began his indefinite hunger strike on June 28, 2026, at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with students protesting the alleged NEET leak; the demonstrators have been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Authorities shifted Wangchuk to Medanta after he was forcibly removed from the protest site. After ending his fast, he said the decision followed “long negotiations” and concerns about possible violence, urging people to remain vigilant and avoid any form of violence.
With inputs from agencies.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/education-reforms-no-cases-against-protesters-govt-promises-that-ended-sonam-wangchuks-hunger-strike-14033503.html
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Publish Date: 2026-07-24 06:22:00
