After 26 Days, Activist Sonam Wangchuk Breaks Fast Following Government Pledge
Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike on Wednesday at Medanta hospital in Gurugram after the government assured him that no legal action would be taken against peaceful protesters at Jantar Mantar. Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh were present as Wangchuk broke his fast with a sip of juice, assisted by his wife Gitanjali Angmo.
In a post shortly after midnight, Wangchuk confirmed the end of his fast, stating it followed “long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country.” He said he would release a detailed video explaining the conditions on which he ended the strike and urged people to remain vigilant and avoid violence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to Wangchuk to follow doctors’ advice and regain his health. “I urge Sonam ji to follow the doctors’ advice and regain his previous weight as soon as possible. I pray to God that Sonam ji remains healthy,” Modi wrote online.
A video from the hospital showed Wangchuk holding the hands of Nadda and Singh, expressing gratitude. He said, “I'm grateful and happy to break my fast. Thank you.” Turning to his wife, he added, “Gitanjali has always been by my side. I don't want to thank you but express my feelings.”
Nadda read out the government’s assurances, which included a commitment not to register cases against those protesting peacefully at Jantar Mantar and participants in the July 20, 2024 march to Parliament. The government also promised to find solutions to paper leaks and educational reforms for exams, and to consider compensation for suicide victims of recent NEET paper leaks.
The Centre had earlier taken steps on the paper leak issue, including removing the education secretary and forming a fast-track court. PM Modi also assured strict action against those responsible.
Wangchuk began his hunger strike on June 28 at Jantar Mantar, demanding education reforms and accountability for paper leaks. He was forcibly removed from the protest site last Saturday and taken to Safdarjung hospital, where he refused to break his fast. His wife moved the Delhi High Court alleging negligence, leading to his transfer to Medanta. During the strike, he lost 11 kg.
This was not Wangchuk’s first hunger strike. In 2024, he fasted for 21 days at 11,500 feet in sub-freezing temperatures, demanding legal protections for Ladakh’s resources. Last year, he was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) for nearly six months after protests over statehood and Sixth Schedule demands turned violent in Ladakh.
