NEW DELHI/UKHRUL: Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike shortly after midnight on Thursday following negotiations with the Centre, saying the decision was taken after prolonged discussions and to avert the possibility of violence in the country.
In a post on X, Wangchuk said he broke his fast in the presence of union ministers Jagat Prakash Nadda and Jitendra Singh, along with senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh.
“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.
He said 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had either visited him or signed letters urging him to end the fast. According to Wangchuk, the decision followed “long negotiations on various conditions” and was made “in view of possible violence in the country.” He said he would explain the agreed conditions in detail in a separate video.
Wangchuk also appealed to supporters to maintain peace.
“I urge you all to stay very vigilant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere,” he said.
Soon after Wangchuk announced the end of his fast, prime minister Narendra Modi responded on X, wishing him a speedy recovery.
“More strict actions against paper leaks to come in tomorrow’s Cabinet!” prime minister Narendra Modi said posting a short video response on his X handle.
ALSO WATCH, UKHRUL TIMES EXCLUSIVE: Second collective protest was held in Shillong on Thursday in support to activist Sonam Wangchuk
The development came after late-night talks between Wangchuk and the two Union ministers at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he had been shifted for medical care. While the Centre has not yet disclosed the details of the discussions, Wangchuk indicated that the breakthrough followed negotiations on multiple conditions and that further details would be shared soon.
Wangchuk’s fast had drawn nationwide attention, with lawmakers across party lines urging him to end the protest. His campaign centred on key public issues, and his decision to call off the fast marks the end of nearly four weeks of continuous protest while leaving the broader movement awaiting details of the assurances reached with the government.
This is what Sonam Wangchuk took to X on Friday at around 8 a.m.
“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 floors of the Indian Parliament. The government also gave assurance that families of suicide victims in the recent NEET examination paper leak will be given adequate compensation and that there will be no cases registered against the peacefully protesting students and youths.
Watch full video on YouTube Channel: Sonam Wangchuk
Sonam’s videos have no copyrights; can be shared freely.”
