đź“…July 24, 2026 | By Pulse India News Desk
“Long Negotiations”: Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike After 26 Days
Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram after prolonged negotiations and government assurances concerning peaceful protesters, examination paper leaks and education reforms.
Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike following negotiations with the Union government over several conditions. Wangchuk said concerns about possible violence in the country also influenced his decision to conclude the fast.
He formally broke his fast shortly after midnight in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh, his wife Gitanjali Angmo and senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh, Ladakh.
Wangchuk had remained on hunger strike since June 28.
Reports indicated that he lost significant body weight during the prolonged fast.
Government assurances also addressed participants in the march towards Parliament.
Wangchuk breaks fast after prolonged negotiations
Announcing the development through his official X account, Wangchuk said he had finally broken his fast after 26 days in the presence of the two Union ministers and leaders of the Apex Body of Leh.
“Just now, in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda, Dr Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh, Ladakh, I finally broke my fast after 26 days.”
Wangchuk said his decision followed long negotiations involving various conditions and concerns about the possibility of violence. He appealed to supporters to remain peaceful and vigilant.
He also indicated that he would publish a detailed video explaining the complete circumstances and conditions under which the fast was ended.
Government assurance for peaceful protesters
During the hospital interaction, JP Nadda outlined the government’s assurances regarding the agitation. The government reportedly indicated a positive approach towards not registering cases against people who had protested peacefully at Jantar Mantar.
Similar consideration was communicated regarding people who participated in the march towards Parliament on July 20, 2026.
The government also indicated that concerns involving examination paper leaks, education reforms and possible compensation for affected families were being considered.
Paper leaks and education reforms
Wangchuk began the hunger strike while demanding accountability over examination paper leaks and wider reforms in India’s education and recruitment examination systems.
The government reportedly assured the protesters that institutional measures would be considered to address paper leaks, improve examination governance and strengthen accountability.
A fast-track legal mechanism was also announced for related cases, while suitable compensation for families affected by recent student suicides was reportedly under consideration.
Wangchuk expresses gratitude after ending fast
Footage recorded at Medanta Hospital showed Nadda and Jitendra Singh standing beside Wangchuk as he took a sip from a cup and formally concluded the hunger strike.
Wangchuk expressed gratitude after ending the fast and acknowledged the support of his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, who remained beside him during the hospital interaction.
Prime Minister wishes him a speedy recovery
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Wangchuk to follow medical advice and concentrate on recovering his health and regaining the weight lost during the hunger strike.
Concerns about Wangchuk’s condition had increased as the fast continued. According to health information cited in reports, the activist had lost around 11 kilograms.
Why Sonam Wangchuk began the hunger strike
Wangchuk began his fast on June 28 while demanding education reforms and accountability over alleged examination paper leaks. He remained at Jantar Mantar alongside other protesters supporting the campaign.
He was subsequently removed from the protest site and taken to Safdarjung Hospital but initially declined to break his fast.
His wife later approached the Delhi High Court while raising concerns regarding his medical care. The court subsequently permitted Wangchuk to be shifted to Medanta Hospital.
Previous hunger strikes and the Ladakh movement
This was not Wangchuk’s first prolonged fast. In 2024, he undertook a 21-day hunger strike in Ladakh while surviving on water and salt in extremely cold conditions.
That agitation focused on constitutional and legal safeguards for Ladakh, including statehood, Sixth Schedule protections and measures intended to preserve the region’s fragile ecology and natural resources.
Wangchuk has remained a prominent voice in Ladakh’s environmental, political and educational movements.
