PM Modi's Message, 3 Midnight Assurances, Exam Reforms: How Govt Convinced Sonam Wangchuk To End Fast

Published 24 July 2026 · education

PM Modi's Message, 3 Midnight Assurances, Exam Reforms: How Govt Convinced Sonam Wangchuk To End Fast Published By, Last Updated: July 24, 2026, 07:57 IST

PM Modi's Message, 3 Midnight Assurances, Exam Reforms: How Govt Convinced Sonam Wangchuk To End Fast Published By, Last Updated: July 24, 2026, 07:57 IST According to the government, three key assurances played a crucial role in persuading Wangchuk to end his fast. Rapid Read Sonam Wangchuk ends his 26-day fast in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. (Image: PTI) Education activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike shortly after midnight on Thursday, bringing a pause to one of the most high-profile protests over the NEET paper leak controversy. His decision came after a late-night meeting with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message promising tougher action against paper leaks, including a new Bill and fast-track courts. The sequence of events marked a significant shift in the Centre’s response to weeks of nationwide protests, with the government pairing political outreach with promises of legislative action. Midnight Negotiations That Broke The Deadlock Wangchuk announced that he had ended his fast in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh, along with senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh, after what he described as “long negotiations on various conditions". “Just now in the presence of Union Ministers Sh. JP Nadda, Dr. Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of Apex Body of Leh Ladakh I finally broke my fast after 26 days," Wangchuk wrote on X. He added that 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had either visited him or signed letters urging him to end the fast. “This was done after long negotiations on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country. I will explain the conditions in detail in a separate video very soon. Meanwhile I urge you all to stay very vigilant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere," he said.

Even before breaking his fast, Wangchuk made it clear that he did not endorse violence. Referring to the government’s assurances, he also remarked, “I am sure, at the suitable time, and I am no one to dictate, you will take accountability in the ministry and the minister also. I am sure you are already considering." 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 On Friday, he released a fresh video on the assurances given to him the government following which he decided to end his fast. What The Government Assured According to the government, three key assurances played a crucial role in persuading Wangchuk to end his fast. First, the Centre said it was “positive" about not registering cases against those who participated peacefully in the protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and in the July 20 march towards Parliament. Second, the government assured further discussions in Parliament on finding long-term solutions to paper leaks and broader reforms in India’s examination system. Sonam Wangchuk has ended his fast after Union Ministers Shri JP Nadda and Shri Jitendra Singh met him at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, and assured him of the government’s commitment to address the concerns.Shri JP Nadda said: “The government is positive on not registering… pic.twitter.com/LHxFYcSm1l — Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 23, 2026 Third, the Centre said it was positively considering suitable compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the recent NEET paper leak controversy. Sharing details of the meeting, BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya quoted Union Minister JP Nadda as saying, “The government is positive on not registering cases against those protesting peacefully at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, and those participating in the march to the Parliament on July 20, 2026.