Education Reformer and Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday ended his 26-day hunger strike after the Central Government provided written assurances addressing several key demands raised during the nationwide student-led movement. Wangchuk broke his fast at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram by taking a sip of soup in the presence of Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, marking the end of nearly four weeks of continuous fasting. Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali J. Angmo is also seen in the visuals.
The breakthrough came after prolonged discussions between representatives of the government and those associated with the protest. According to Wangchuk, the decision to end the fast followed extensive negotiations over multiple conditions and was also influenced by concerns about the possibility of violence if the agitation continued. He stated that he would soon release a detailed video explaining the terms under which the hunger strike was concluded and appealed to supporters to remain peaceful and not allow the movement to turn violent.
As part of the written commitments, the Centre assured that no legal action would be taken against students and youth who participated peacefully in demonstrations, including the protests at Jantar Mantar and during the march towards Parliament. The government also agreed to consider financial assistance for families affected by examination paper leak incidents and to initiate discussions on strengthening accountability and transparency in the country’s examination system.
The assurances reportedly followed appeals from more than 65 Members of Parliament across political parties, who urged Wangchuk to end his fast while promising that concerns related to examination reforms would be raised in Parliament. The development is being viewed as a significant step towards dialogue between the government and protesters after weeks of nationwide demonstrations demanding fair recruitment, transparent examinations, and stronger action against paper leaks.
Although the hunger strike has ended, Wangchuk emphasised that the larger objective of ensuring credible and accountable examination systems remains unchanged. He urged citizens to stay vigilant, continue supporting peaceful democratic engagement, and await further details on the government’s commitments, while reiterating that meaningful reforms should now follow the written assurances.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also responded after Wangchuk ended his fast, wishing him a speedy recovery and encouraging him to follow medical advice while regaining his health. The development marks a significant moment in one of India’s largest recent youth-led movements, which has brought issues of examination integrity and student rights to the forefront of national debate.
