Sonam Wangchuk Ends 26-Day Hunger Strike After Centre Assures Parliament Discussion on Exam Reforms

July 24, 2026

New Delhi: Education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike on Friday after receiving written assurances from the Central government and Members of Parliament across party lines that the issue of accountability in India’s examination system would be discussed in Parliament.

END OF HUNGER… BEGINNING OF ACCOUNTABILITY…!
Sonam Wangchuk ends his fast after 26 days upon getting assurance from the government and members of parliament of all political parties that the issue of accountability in the failing examination system will be discussed on the… pic.twitter.com/0C9YX5VlsL

— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) July 24, 2026

The announcement was made through Wangchuk’s official social media handle, which described the development as “End of Hunger, Beginning of Accountability.” According to the statement, the decision to end the fast came after the government accepted several key demands raised during the protest.

Government Assures Parliament Discussion on Paper Leaks

In a video message released after ending his fast, Wangchuk said Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him along with representatives of the Ladakh Apex Body. He added that nearly 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had extended support to the movement and urged him to end his hunger strike.

Wangchuk said he had been waiting for a written assurance from the government regarding the demands, which he finally received on the 26th day of his fast.

According to him, both the Union Ministers and MPs assured that the growing issue of examination paper leaks and the need for comprehensive education reforms would be taken up for discussion on the floor of Parliament.

Centre Responds to Key Demands

As per the government’s statement, the Centre has responded positively to the major concerns raised during the protest.

The government has assured that:

• The issue of examination paper leaks and broader education reforms will receive a detailed discussion in Parliament.
• No criminal cases will be registered against students and youth who participated peacefully in the protest at Jantar Mantar or the Parliament march held on July 20.
• The government is positively considering suitable compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the recent NEET examination paper leak controversy.

These assurances formed the basis for Wangchuk’s decision to end his fast.

What Triggered the Hunger Strike?

Wangchuk launched the indefinite hunger strike to demand greater accountability in India’s examination system following repeated incidents of examination paper leaks, particularly the controversy surrounding the NEET examination. The protest also sought stronger legal safeguards to protect students’ interests and ensure transparency in national-level competitive examinations.

The movement gained widespread support from students, education activists, civil society organisations and lawmakers from multiple political parties, who called for urgent reforms to restore public confidence in the examination process.

‘Beginning of Accountability’

While ending his fast, Wangchuk indicated that the movement for examination reforms would continue through democratic means. His team described the decision as the beginning of a new phase focused on ensuring accountability and monitoring the implementation of the government’s commitments.

The development marks a significant breakthrough in the weeks-long protest, with attention now shifting to Parliament, where the promised discussion on examination reforms and paper leak prevention is expected to take place.