‘End of Hunger, Beginning of Accountability’: Sonam Wangchuk Explains Why He Ended 26-Day Fast

Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike after receiving written assurances on NEET reforms, compensation for affected families and protection for peaceful protesters.

New Delhi: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk after ending his 26-day hunger strike, he said only after receiving a written assurances from the government on examination reforms, compensation for families affected by the NEET paper leak and possible relief for peaceful protesters he broke his fast.

Wangchuk broke his fast at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on Thursday night in the presence of Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, as well as senior representatives of the Ladakh Apex Body.

Written Assurance After Negotiations

In a video message which was posted on X after ending the fast, Wangchuk said negotiations with the government continued for two days because he was unwilling to rely solely on verbal commitments.

Watch: Activist Sonam Wangchuk tweets, "END OF HUNGER... BEGINNING OF ACCOUNTABILITY...! Sonam Wangchuk ends his fast after 26 days upon getting assurance from the government and members of parliament of all political parties that the issue of accountability in the failing… pic.twitter.com/Eb74t2xURo

— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) July 24, 2026

In the video, he said, "I am prepared to extend the hunger strike until the Centre provided its assurances in writing. According to Wangchuk, around 65 MPs from different political parties had also urged him to call off the protest and promised to raise concerns over paper leaks and the examination system in Parliament."

Compensation for Affected Families

Wangchuk said the government had agreed to consider suitable compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the recent NEET paper leak.

The Centre also assured detailed discussions in Parliament on preventing paper leaks, improving transparency and introducing wider reforms in the country’s examination system.

Abhijeet Dipke On Sonam Wangchuk ending 26-day hunger strike

In a Video posted on Cockroach Janata Party's X handle, in which Abhijeet Dipke said, " 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. The Cockroach Janta Party’s peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns."

CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke: We are relieved and grateful that Sonam Sir has ended his 26-day hunger strike. His courage and sacrifice awakened the conscience of the nation. His life is far too precious. Our peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Union Education… pic.twitter.com/606PEumVtN

— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) July 24, 2026

He also said that the protest will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.

Relief for Peaceful Protesters

According to the written statement shared by Wangchuk, the government expressed a positive view on not filing cases against people who protested peacefully at Jantar Mantar or participated in the July 20 “Chalo Sansad” march.

Thanking the government for showing sensitivity towards students and demonstrators, Wangchuk said ending the fast did not mean the campaign for accountability was over.

Announcing his decision, he wrote, “End of hunger, beginning of accountability,” indicating that the focus would now shift towards ensuring that the promised measures are implemented.