NEET Paper Leak Row: Sonam Wangchuk Ends 26-Day Hunger Strike After Talks with Union Ministers
Renowned activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his fast early on Friday morning, concluding a 26-day hunger strike held in protest against the NEET exam paper leak controversy. The fast, initiated on June 28 at Jantar Mantar as part of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demonstrations, aimed to highlight systemic educational flaws and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Wangchuk broke his fast at Gurgaon’s Medanta Hospital following extensive negotiations with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh, along with senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh-Ladakh.
Key Highlights of the 26-Day Hunger Strike
Duration: 26 continuous days starting from June 28.
Health Impact: Wangchuk lost approximately 11 kg during the hunger strike.
Hospitalisation Sequence: Shifted from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18, and subsequently transferred to Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon.
Parliamentary Support: Over 65 Members of Parliament across political parties visited or signed letters appealing to him to end the fast.
Official Statement by Sonam Wangchuk on X
In a message posted on social media platform X shortly after breaking his fast, Wangchuk urged citizens to maintain peace and prevent any outbreak of violence during ongoing nationwide demonstrations.
"Just now in the presence of Union Ministers Sh. JP Nadda, Dr Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of Apex Body of Leh Ladakh, I finally broke my fast after 26 days. Earlier, 65 members of parliament from different political parties had visited or signed letters urging me to break the fast. This was done after long negotiations on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country," stated Sonam Wangchuk. "I will explain the conditions in detail in a separate video very soon. Meanwhile, I urge you all to stay very vigilant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere."
CJP Reaffirms Commitment to Peaceful Protests
Following Wangchuk's decision, Abhjeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, expressed gratitude for the activist's dedication while confirming that their sit-in at Jantar Mantar would continue peacefully until their core demands, including administrative accountability and ministerial resignations, are fulfilled.
Despite Wangchuk breaking his fast, student organisations and opposition-backed youth groups have scheduled nationwide protest demonstrations for today, prompting authorities to maintain heightened security protocols across the national capital region borders.
