Climate activist and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday night ended his 26-day indefinite hunger strike, bringing to a close a protest that had become a focal point of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)’s campaign over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
Wangchuk broke his fast at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he had been admitted after his health deteriorated during the prolonged protest.
Sonam Wangchuk was also in the presence of senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh when he broke his fast at the Medanta Hospital. (Photo shared by Sonam Wangchuk on X)
Wangchuk announces end of fast
In a post on X, Wangchuk said he ended his hunger strike in the presence of Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, and senior representatives of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh.
Just now in the presence of Union Ministers 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… pic.twitter.com/lgRgNbiKVM
— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) July 23, 2026
He said the decision followed extensive discussions and consultations held over several days.
According to Wangchuk, more than 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had either visited him during the protest or signed appeals requesting him to end the fast.
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The activist said the decision was also influenced by concerns over the possibility of violence during the ongoing agitation.
He added that the understanding reached during the discussions involved several conditions, details of which he said would be shared separately in a video message.
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…
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) July 23, 2026
While announcing the end of his fast, Wangchuk appealed to supporters across the country to remain vigilant and ensure that the movement remained peaceful.
Appeal for non-violence
Hours before ending his fast, Wangchuk issued another message urging protesters not to allow violence to overshadow the movement.
He said he had received reports suggesting that some anti-social elements were attempting to exploit the demonstrations to trigger unrest.
मैं सोनम जी से आग्रह करता हूँ की वो डॉक्टरों की सलाह के अनुसार अपनी दिनचर्या रखें और जल्द से जल्द अपना पुराना वज़न फिर से प्राप्त करें।
मैं प्रभु से प्रार्थना करता हूँ कि सोनम जी स्वस्थ रहें।@Wangchuk66 @GitanjaliAngmo
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2026
Reiterating his commitment to peaceful protest, Wangchuk said non-violence had always been central to his campaign and appealed to participants to ensure demonstrations continued peacefully.
Protest over education issues
Wangchuk joined the CJP-led protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi in support of demands linked to alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
His hunger strike drew nationwide attention and became a rallying point for students, activists and several political leaders, who called for greater accountability over examination-related issues.
During the course of the protest, several public figures, including politicians, members of civil society and personalities from the film industry, expressed support for Wangchuk while also appealing to him to end his fast in view of his declining health.
Movement enters a new phase
With Wangchuk ending his hunger strike after 26 days, attention is now expected to shift to the outcome of the discussions held with the Union government.
The activist has indicated that he will soon release a detailed statement explaining the conditions that led to his decision to call off the fast and the assurances received during negotiations.
For now, he has urged supporters to maintain peace and ensure that the movement continues through democratic and non-violent means.
