New Delhi, July 24: Education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday ended his 26-day hunger strike after receiving written assurances from the Central government and Members of Parliament across political parties that the issue of examination paper leaks and accountability in the country’s examination system would be taken up in Parliament.
Announcing the decision on its official X handle, Wangchuk’s team said the fast was called off after the government responded positively to the key demands raised during the protest.
“END OF HUNGER… BEGINNING OF ACCOUNTABILITY…!” the post read.
In a video message, Wangchuk said Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him on the 26th day of his fast in the presence of leaders of the Ladakh Apex Body. He also recalled that around 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had earlier visited him, signed their support and urged him to end the fast.
“On the 26th day of my hunger strike, I want to share some important information. A short while ago, Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh came here. Before that, around 65 MPs from different political parties came here, signed their support and requested me to end my hunger strike. They assured me that the issue of paper leaks would be discussed. The same assurance was conveyed by the Union Ministers as well. Today I have finally received that written assurance,” Wangchuk said.
According to a government statement, the Centre has assured a detailed discussion in Parliament on paper leaks and examination reforms. It also said the government is positive about not registering cases against those who protested peacefully at Jantar Mantar and participated in the July 20, 2026 march to Parliament. The statement further said the government is positively considering suitable compensation for families of students who died by suicide following the recent NEET paper leak controversy.
Wangchuk’s protest had drawn widespread support from students, education activists, civil society groups and lawmakers across party lines, with demands for stricter action against examination paper leaks and greater transparency and accountability in India’s examination system. His team said the end of the hunger strike marked the beginning of a broader campaign to ensure the government’s commitments are translated into concrete reforms.
