"Long Negotiations": Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike After 26 Days

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike after 26 days at the Medanta hospital in Gurugram in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. Visuals showed Singh assisting him to get up from his hospital bed and Nadda helping him take a sip from a cup. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, is also seen in the clip."Just now in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of Apex Body of Leh Ladakh I finally broke my fast after 26 days," Wangchuk said in a post after midnight.His decision followed a "long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country," he added. He said that he will explain the conditions on which he broke his fast in a detailed video."Meanwhile, I urge you all to stay very vigilant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere," he further appealed.'Grateful And Happy'Activist @Wangchuk66 has ended his hunger strike after 26 days in the presence of Union Ministers @JPNadda and @DrJitendraSingh. Visuals showed Wangchuk sipping from a cup, with help from the ministers. His wife, @GitanjaliAngmo, is also seen in the clip. pic.twitter.com/YUXUjMwjHn - NDTV (@ndtv) July 23, 2026"I'm grateful and happy to break my fast. Thank you," Wangchuk was heard saying in a hospital video, holding the hands of Nadda and Singh. Turning to his wife, he said, "Gitanjali has always been by my side. I don't want to thank you but express my feelings."Moments earlier, the Centre removed replaced the Education Secretary, and a fast-track court was formed to hear paper leak cases. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also assured strict action in such cases.Wangchuk went on a hunger strike on June 28 demanding reforms in the education system and accountability over paper leaks. He stayed put at Jantar Mantar alongside the Cockroach Janta Party's protesters, who continue demonstration over their demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.Wangchuk's Hunger StrikeWangchuk was removed from the protest site last Saturday and taken to Safdarjung hospital. He, however, refused to break his fast. His wife soon moved Delhi High Court, alleging negligence at the government-run facility. The court later allowed him to be shifted to Medanta.As per his latest health update, he had lost at least 11 kg during the course of his hunger strike.Wangchuk had been at the centre of the Jantar Mantar protests. He had also urged the government to spare the young protesters from any legal action, listing it as his key demand for ending his fast.The activist from Ladakh had been on hunger strike multiple times over various issues. In 2024, he survived only on water and salt and slept outdoors at 11,500 feet in the sub-freezing temperatures for 21 days, demanding legal rights to protect Ladakh's resources.Last year, he was in detention for nearly six months under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) after protests over statehood and Sixth Schedule demands turned violent in Ladakh.Wangchuk's educational philosophy is widely believed to be a key inspiration behind the character of Phunsukh Wangdu in 3 Idiots.