Renowned Indian social activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his hunger strike on Friday, culminating 26 days of protest against the Indian government over the NEET exam leak scandal.
As per the details, 59-year-old Wangchuk made the announcement in a video message on social media, which showed him accompanied by his wife Gitanjali Angmo, Indian Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, and senior leaders of the 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,” he wrote while sharing the update that marks a major turning point in a youth-led protest movement that shook New Delhi.
Wangchuk previously led high-profile demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, drawing massive audiences alongside the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to protest widespread scandals surrounding NEET exam leaks.
On the 21st day of his fast, on June 18, police forcibly removed the activist from the protest site, triggering widespread chaos across India. On June 20, thousands of young demonstrators marched to Jantar Mantar, where security forces deployed brutal force against the crowds.
The violent crackdown ignited nationwide protests and severe unrest, culminating in an unexpected video message from Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Thursday night to calm agitating students.
Hours before breaking his fast, Wangchuk urged supporters to maintain restraint and reject violence. “Peace and only peace is my way… while at Jantar Mantar the protests remain peaceful, I’m pained to learn that elsewhere some antisocial elements are taking advantage of the peaceful protests to provoke violence,” he said.
Meanwhile, PM Modi, in his video message, announced that the Union Cabinet would discuss a draft law providing for fast-track courts and tougher penalties for examination paper leaks.
Simultaneously, the Indian central government executed a major bureaucratic reshuffle within the Ministry of Education, replacing key department secretaries.
Although Wangchuk has concluded his fast, CJP leaders confirmed that their broader campaign continues. Protesters at Jantar Mantar emphasised that the movement transcends individual personalities, focusing instead on structural reform and accountability.
The CJP representatives have also scheduled high-stakes negotiations with government officials to address ongoing competitive examination irregularities, as the political impasse persists across the capital.
