Sonam Wangchuk ends 26-day hunger strike amid negotiations, PM Modi addresses NEET-UG paper leak

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday ended his 26-day hunger strike in the presence of Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, saying the decision followed prolonged negotiations and was taken to avoid any possibility of violence in the country. In a post on X, Wangchuk said he broke his fast in the presence of the two Union ministers and senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh. He said 65 MPs from different political parties had either visited him or signed letters urging him to end the fast. "This was done after a long negotiation 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," Wangchuk said.

PM Modi wished the activist good health. "I urge Sonam ji to follow his routine as per the doctors' advice and regain his old weight as soon as possible. I pray to the Lord that Sonam ji remains healthy," the Prime Minister said. Meanwhile, Cockroach Janata Party, with whom Wangchuk had aligned with when he started the hunger strike, said, "We are relieved and grateful that Sonam sir has ended his hunger strike after 26 days. Thank you, sir, for your extraordinary courage and sacrifice. By putting your own life on the line, you awakened the conscience of an entire nation. Your life is far too precious to this country," said founder Abhijeet Dipke. Wangchuk had been shifted from Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram following directions from the Delhi High Court.

Meanwhile, PM Modi also released a video message addressing students protesting over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. Calling the issue "very painful" for lakhs of students and their families, the Prime Minister said the Union Cabinet would consider stricter measures against paper leaks, including provisions for fast-track courts and harsher punishment for offenders, with the government aiming to introduce the legislation in Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session. He also said the government's immediate priority after the alleged leak was to ensure that nearly 22 lakh students did not lose an academic year by conducting the re-examination at the earliest. On the other hand, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has called to continue nationwide "peaceful protests" demanding the resignation of union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. "The Cockroach Janta Party’s peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns," said Dipke in the statement about Wangchuk ending his hunger strike. The Centre had reiterated its willingness to hold talks with student representatives. Union minister Jitendra Singh said the government had sent four formal proposals for discussions and that he and Union Health Minister JP Nadda would be present during the talks. However, CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the party had not received any communication from the government and remained ready for talks at Jantar Mantar or a neutral venue such as the Constitution Club of India.