TAMIL NADU: Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike on Thursday (July 23) night after receiving assurances from the BJP-led government, declaring, “End of hunger… beginning of accountability.”
The activist said that the government had agreed to hold a parliamentary discussion on accountability and reforms in the national examination system, assured compensation for the families of students who died by suicide following the recent NEET paper leak controversy and promised that no cases would be registered against students and youth who participated in peaceful protests.
Regarding the demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, Wangchuk said he chose to end his fast to continue the larger fight while protecting students from legal action and ensuring their voices are heard after breaking his fast in the presence of Union Ministers J. P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, following a day of intense negotiations with the government.
His decision, however, triggered debate because the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) — which is spearheading the paper-leak movement — continues to demand Pradhan’s resignation. After meeting Nadda and Singh, CJP spokespersons Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das said the government had sought time until Saturday to respond to their core demand—the minister’s resignation.
Ranka said the government has asked for a day to decide on their biggest demand, the resignation of Pradhan. “The protest will continue and will keep growing until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. If that does not happen soon, we will be forced to announce another nationwide protest call,” he said.
Although Wangchuk and the CJP share the broader goal of examination reforms and government accountability, his decision to end the fast without first securing Pradhan’s resignation surprised many.
It also renewed discussion over his decision to join the CJP-led protest—a movement launched by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke in the wake of the NEET-UG paper leak. After weeks of digital campaigns and small demonstrations, the group set up a permanent protest site at Jantar Mantar but initially struggled to attract widespread public attention.
Wangchuk’s arrival transformed the movement. Supporters describe his hunger strike as a strategic alignment with students seeking accountability and systemic reforms. As an education reformer, Wangchuk said he was moved by the plight of millions of students affected by recurring examination irregularities.
Before his participation, the agitation was largely a youth-led, social media-driven campaign. His presence gave it national visibility and significantly increased pressure on the government.
According to Wangchuk, his foremost priority was ensuring that students were not subjected to police action. He said the Centre provided written assurance that peaceful protesters would not face FIRs or criminal cases and agreed to a formal parliamentary debate on examination accountability. However, his decision also appeared to be at odds with the CJP movement.
Welcoming Wangchuk’s decision to end fast and expressing relief over his health, the CJP maintained that its principal demand—the resignation of Pradhan—remains unchanged. Wangchuk, too, clarified that he has ended only his personal fast and not the broader movement.
According to official sources, concerns over Wangchuk’s deteriorating health prompted Home Minister Amit Shah to step in with Nadda and Singh. Singh then spoke with Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, assuring her that the government was committed to addressing the activist’s concerns. - The Statesman/ANN
