Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike After 26 Days (Watch Video)

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike after 26 days at Gurugram's Medanta hospital, following the government's assurance that no legal action would be taken against the protesters who had gathered at Jantar Mantar. Visuals from the hospital showed Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh helping him take a sip from a cup to formally break his fast, with his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, 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. His decision, he added, followed a "long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country." He said he would explain the conditions on which he broke his fast in a detailed video and urged people to stay vigilant and not allow any violence.

PM Modi's Message

Prime Minister Narendra Modi 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. Sonam Wangchuk Appeals for Peace Amid CJP Protests, Says ‘Peace and Only Peace Is My Way’.

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 added, "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.

Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike After 26 Days

'Grateful And Happy'

A video from Medanta hospital captured the moment Wangchuk ended his hunger strike, flanked by ministers Nadda and Singh. "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." Sonam Wangchuk Eased Stand on Dharmendra Pradhan, but CJP’s Demands Derailed Dialogue: Sources.

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, 2026. 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 was 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.

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.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 24, 2026 07:23 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).