Environmentalist and education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike on Thursday night after receiving written assurances from the Central government on several of his key demands. The fast ended at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where senior Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh personally met Wangchuk and handed over the government’s assurance letter.
The development came after a day of intense discussions within the government as concerns over Wangchuk’s health and the ongoing student protests continued to grow.
Centre Holds High-Level Meetings
According to sources, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a nearly four-hour meeting with Health Minister JP Nadda and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr Jitendra Singh to discuss the situation.
During the meeting, the government decided to respond positively to Wangchuk’s demands while making his health the immediate priority. Following the discussions, Dr Jitendra Singh spoke to Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, and assured her that the Centre was committed to addressing the issues raised by the activist. He also requested her to persuade Wangchuk to end his fast.
Later in the evening, both Union Ministers met Wangchuk at the hospital and formally conveyed the government’s assurances.
Talks With Protesters to Begin
One of Wangchuk’s key demands was direct dialogue between the Centre and the protesting students. The government has now agreed to invite the Citizens’ Joint Platform (CJP) delegation for talks at a neutral venue on Friday.
Earlier, the CJP had rejected the government’s proposal to hold discussions at JP Nadda’s residence or office, insisting that the meeting should take place either at Jantar Mantar or another neutral location.
The decision to hold talks is being seen as an important step towards resolving the ongoing protest.
Government Promises Action on Major Demands
During the meeting, Wangchuk was informed that the government is preparing a new Bill under the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) framework. The proposed legislation is expected to receive Cabinet approval before being introduced in Parliament next week.
The Centre also assured Wangchuk that it is willing to address several other concerns raised during the protest. These include:
No legal action against students who participated in peaceful protests.
Parliamentary discussion on the NEET paper leak and broader examination reforms.
Consideration of compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the recent NEET paper leak controversy.
Reading out the government’s assurances at the hospital, JP Nadda said that no cases would be registered against those who protested peacefully at Jantar Mantar in Delhi or participated in the July 20, 2026 Parliament march, provided their protests remained peaceful.
PM Modi Wishes Wangchuk Good Health
Soon after Wangchuk announced the end of his hunger strike, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a message on social media wishing him a speedy recovery.
The Prime Minister urged Wangchuk to follow doctors’ advice, regain his health, and expressed hope for his quick recovery.
Wangchuk Plans Return to Ladakh
After ending his fast, Wangchuk said he now wishes to return to Ladakh.
However, before leaving, he plans to meet students and supporters who have been part of the movement. According to sources, he intends to encourage them to trust the government’s assurances and continue their protest peacefully.
Wangchuk also appealed to supporters not to allow anti-social elements to influence the movement and reiterated his commitment to peaceful dialogue with the government.
A Step Towards Resolution
The end of Sonam Wangchuk’s 26-day hunger strike marks an important breakthrough after weeks of protests and negotiations. While the Centre has made several commitments, the focus will now shift to the upcoming talks with protest representatives and the government’s follow-through on its promises.
Both the government and protest leaders have indicated that continued dialogue will be the way forward, with hopes of finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the issues raised during the movement.
Also Read: Student Rights Under Threat: From CJP Protest To Questions Over India’s Democracy https://www.vibesofindia.com/student-rights-cjp-protest-india-democracy/
