"Long Negotiations": Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike After 26 Days

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike after 26 days at Gurugram's Medanta hospital after the government assured him no legal action would be taken against the Jantar Mantar protesters. Visuals showed Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh helping him take a sip from a cup to end his fast. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, is also seen in the clip.

"Just now in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of Apex Body of Leh Ladakh I finally broke my fast after 26 days," Wangchuk said in a post after midnight.

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… pic.twitter.com/RFCet7Oksy

— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) July 23, 2026

His decision followed a "long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country," he added. He said that he would explain the conditions on which he broke his fast in a detailed video. Wangchuk has also asked people to stay vigilant and not allow any violence.

Read: Ice Stupas To Education Reforms: The 'Fast' Evolution Of Sonam Wangchuk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the 59-year-old activist to follow doctors' advice and regain his health.

"I urge Sonam ji to follow the doctors' advice and regain his previous weight as soon as possible. I pray to God that Sonam ji remains healthy," he said in an online post.

Abhijeet Dipke, founder of Cockroach Janta Party, said he was "relieved and grateful" that the activist had ended his fast. Thanking him for his courage and sacrifice, he said, "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 CJP, however, remains firm on its demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.  

'Grateful And Happy'

A video from Medanta hospital captured the moment Wangchuk ended his hunger strike, flanked by Nadda and Singh.

Activist @Wangchuk66 has ended his hunger strike after 26 days in the presence of Union Ministers @JPNadda and @DrJitendraSingh. Visuals showed Wangchuk sipping from a cup, with help from the ministers. His wife, @GitanjaliAngmo, is also seen in the clip. pic.twitter.com/YUXUjMwjHn

— NDTV (@ndtv) July 23, 2026

"I'm grateful and happy to break my fast. Thank you," he was heard saying, holding the hands of Nadda and Singh. Turning to his wife, he then said, "Gitanjali has always been by my side. I don't want to thank you but express my feelings."

In the clip, Nadda was also seen reading out the government's assurances.

"The government is positive on not registering cases against those protesting peacefully at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and those participating in the march to the Parliament on July 20, 2024. The government has already assured through their discussions to find solutions to paper leaks, educational reforms for exams in the Parliament. Besides, the government is also positively considering suitable compensations for the suicide victims of recent NEET paper leaks," the minister is heard saying.

Moments earlier, the Centre had taken key steps over the paper leak issue. While the education secretary was removed, a fast-track court was formed to hear such cases. Prime Minister Modi has also assured strict action against those responsible.

Wangchuk's Hunger Strike

Wangchuk went on a hunger strike on June 28 demanding reforms in the education system and accountability over paper leaks. He stayed put at Jantar Mantar alongside the CJP's protesters.

Read: How Sonam Wangchuk Was Whisked Away By Cops In Civilian Clothes

He was removed from the protest site last Saturday and taken to Safdarjung hospital. He, however, refused to break his fast. His wife soon moved Delhi High Court, alleging negligence at the government-run facility. The court later allowed him to be shifted to Medanta.

As per his latest health update, he had lost at least 11 kg during the course of his hunger strike.

Wangchuk had been on hunger strike multiple times over various issues. In 2024, he survived only on water and salt and slept outdoors at 11,500 feet in sub-freezing temperatures for 21 days, demanding legal rights to protect Ladakh's resources.

Last year, he was in detention for nearly six months under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) after protests over statehood and Sixth Schedule demands turned violent in Ladakh.

Wangchuk's educational philosophy is widely believed to be a key inspiration behind the character of Phunsukh Wangdu in 3 Idiots.