Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike; PM Modi vows stricter actions against paper leaks

NEW DELHI: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike early Friday after the Centre assured him of action on key demands related to the student protests, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government would bring a new Bill with stringent provisions against examination paper leaks in a late night video. The proposed legislation, which includes fast-track courts and tougher punishment for offenders, will be discussed by the Union Cabinet on Friday before being introduced in Parliament next week.Wangchuk ends 26-day hunger strikeClimate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his indefinite hunger strike shortly after midnight at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram in the presence of Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. He said the decision followed prolonged negotiations with the government and was taken "in view of possible violence in the country.""Just now in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda & Dr Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of Apex Body of Leh Ladakh I finally broke my fast after 26 days. Earlier 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had visited or signed letters urging me to break the fast. This was done after a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country. Meanwhile I urge you all to stay very vigilant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere," Wangchuk posted on X.Following Wangchuk's announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished him a speedy recovery, saying, "I urge Sonam ji to follow his daily routine as advised by the doctors and regain his weight as soon as possible. I pray to the Almighty that Sonam ji remains healthy."