After spending nearly a month without food, Indian social activist and engineer Sonam Wangchuk has ended his 26-day hunger strike, bringing a moment of relief to supporters who had grown increasingly concerned about his health. The 59-year-old activist, known for his work in education and environmental conservation, had lost around 11 kilograms during the fast. In a video shared from the hospital, Wangchuk reassured supporters with the words, “I am still alive,” while acknowledging the physical toll the protest had taken on his body.
Wangchuk began his indefinite hunger strike on June 28 in support of the nationwide student movement demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in India’s National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). The protests, which have spread across several cities, were sparked by allegations of paper leaks and examination malpractice, leading thousands of students to question the fairness of one of the country’s most important entrance exams.
For many students, the issue goes beyond a single examination. Years of preparation, financial investment, and emotional pressure are tied to these competitive tests, making allegations of irregularities particularly devastating. The protests have since evolved into a broader demand for transparency, stronger safeguards against paper leaks, and greater accountability from the government.
As Wangchuk’s fast entered its third week, doctors warned that his health was rapidly deteriorating. Reports indicated that he was suffering from dangerously low potassium levels, a condition that can become life-threatening if left untreated. On the 21st day of the protest, authorities shifted him to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram for medical care, despite his desire to continue the fast outside a hospital setting.
Even while receiving treatment, Wangchuk continued to urge people to remain peaceful. Rather than encouraging confrontation, he repeatedly emphasized dialogue as the best way to resolve the crisis.
In the early hours of July 24, Wangchuk announced that he was ending his hunger strike following lengthy discussions with representatives of the Indian government. Explaining his decision, he said he wanted to prevent any possibility of violence and believed it was important to create space for continued negotiations.
He formally broke his fast at Medanta Hospital in the presence of Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, along with representatives of Ladakh’s Apex Body. According to government officials, discussions with protest representatives will continue, and peaceful demonstrators will not face legal action. However, one of the protesters’ key demands—the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan—has not been accepted.
Although Wangchuk’s fast has ended, the wider movement is far from over. Student organizations have made it clear that demonstrations will continue until they see meaningful action to restore confidence in India’s examination system. Protest leaders say they will keep pressing for stronger reforms, fair investigations into alleged paper leaks, and measures to ensure that future examinations remain secure and transparent.
The controversy has become one of the most significant education-related movements in India in recent years, highlighting the immense pressure faced by students competing for limited seats in medical and professional colleges. For many families, these examinations represent years of sacrifice, making any suggestion of unfairness deeply personal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has acknowledged concerns surrounding examination security and has pledged stronger safeguards against paper leaks, including faster investigations and stricter action against those responsible. Whether these assurances translate into lasting reforms remains to be seen.
For now, Wangchuk’s decision to end his fast marks a turning point rather than a conclusion. While his health is expected to improve with medical care, the questions raised by students across the country continue to dominate public debate, ensuring that the conversation around examination reforms is far from over.
