Sonam Wangchuk ends 26-day fast after government assurance, CJP continues protest

Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day indefinite hunger strike after the government assured him that his key demands would be addressed, but the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) said its protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar would continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.

Wangchuk announced the end of his fast after Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram around Thursday midnight and conveyed the government’s assurances.

“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,” Wangchuk said in a post on X.

Soon after, prime minister Narendra Modi posted on X: “I urge Sonam ji to follow his daily routine as advised by the doctors and regain his weight as soon as possible.”

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“I pray to the Almighty that Sonam ji remains healthy,” the prime minister added.

Reading out the government’s assurances in the presence of Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo and others at the hospital, Nadda said the government was positive about not registering cases against those protesting peacefully at Jantar Mantar and those who took part in the July 20, 2026 march to Parliament.

He also said the government had already assured discussions in Parliament on paper leaks and education reforms for examinations.

“Besides, the government is also positively considering suitable compensation for the suicide victims of recent NEET paper leaks,” Nadda added.

Wangchuk said 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had either visited him or signed letters urging him to end his fast.

“This was done after long negotiations on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country. 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,” he said in his post on X.

The activist had joined the CJP-led protest at Jantar Mantar on June 28 and began his indefinite fast in support of students seeking accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

During the 26-day fast, Wangchuk lost around 11 kg and repeatedly appealed for the movement to remain peaceful despite the police crackdown on the July 20 ‘Sansad Chalo’ march.

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On July 18, Delhi Police shifted him from the protest site to Safdarjung Hospital, saying he required medical attention. His wife challenged the move before the Delhi High Court, arguing that he was being kept at the government hospital against his wishes. The high court later facilitated his transfer to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he continued his fast.

While at Medanta, Wangchuk said he wanted to return to his students and his work as an educator but could not end the fast without safeguards for the young protesters.

Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke welcomed Wangchuk’s decision to end the fast but said the party’s agitation would continue.

“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 country,” Dipke said in a post on X.

“The Cockroach Janta Party’s peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns,” he added.

Besides seeking Pradhan’s resignation, the outfit has demanded accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system, Rs 1 crore compensation for families of students who died by suicide following the alleged NEET paper leak, and withdrawal of all FIRs and legal action against peaceful protesters who participated in the movement.

The development came as leaders of the youth-led CJP prepared to meet government representatives on Friday in an effort to resolve the standoff over national examination paper leaks.

CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said talks between government ministers and movement leaders would be held at a neutral venue.

“We hope that the government comes with an open mind and it will listen to the people of this country who have been out on the roads for so long,” he said. “We will explain our demands to them in greater detail. And we hope that the government will listen to us.”

Das, however, said the nationwide protests would continue.

“We are not backing out,” he said. “Because, real awakening starts from the grassroots and that is what we really need.”

A senior minister said on Thursday that the government was always open to talks, for however long they might take, and would not “stand on prestige”.

At Jantar Mantar, protesters said they would continue demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.

“We will continue to protest till Dharmendra Pradhan is terminated,” protester Sudesh Singh said. “He should not be given another position. If we stop here, then we will compromise the future of our children.”

The CJP protest began as an online satire involving only a few hundred young people but grew rapidly after the cancellation of a national medical college entrance test in May following a question paper leak that affected about 2 million students. The movement has since attracted millions of online followers.

Tens of thousands of supporters marched towards Parliament in violation of a ban on Monday and clashed with police after being pushed back with tear gas and batons. Violence was also reported on Wednesday night when more than 10,000 protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar.

On Thursday, authorities shut 16 metro stations, disrupted mobile internet services and curtailed business activity in central Delhi, where protesters have been camped. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said it would again close 17 stations from early Friday until further instructions. Reuters journalists also reported patchy or no mobile internet connectivity in the area on Friday morning.

Prime minister Narendra Modi said late on Thursday that the Union Cabinet would discuss a draft law to strengthen punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks and seek Parliament’s approval at the earliest.

Protesters, however, rejected the proposal, saying the examination system itself must be reformed to prevent future leaks. Analysts say the movement reflects growing frustration among young Indians over repeated examination paper leaks and job shortages.