Amitav Ray , New Delhi — Renowned climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk has officially called off his 27-day hunger strike late Friday night at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, following firm assurances from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding severe legal measures against national exam paper leaks.
The hunger strike was called off late Thursday night from Wangchuk’s hospital bed in the presence of Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, alongside his wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo. Officials greeted Wangchuk with ceremonial scarves as he accepted fluids to end his prolonged fast.
The breakthrough came shortly after Prime Minister Modi released a video message at 11:53 PM addressing the persistent leaks affecting central examinations.
Acknowledging the distress caused to students and families across the nation, PM Modi stated, “Question paper leaks are not ordinary incidents; they are a source of deep concern and anguish for millions of students and their parents.”
Over the past ten weeks, the government has taken decisive steps, including arresting key suspects and conducting re-examinations for nearly 2.2 million candidates to prevent students from losing an academic year.
PM Modi emphasized that the government plans to take even stronger actions moving forward.
A proposal to set up fast-track courts for the swift prosecution of offenders will be introduced in the Cabinet, with plans to pass a dedicated bill during the current parliamentary session.
PM Modi later expressed his well wishes to Wangchuk via social media, urging him to follow medical advice for a speedy recovery.
Wangchuk had initiated his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on June 28, expressing solidarity with nationwide student protests triggered by irregularities in major competitive examinations, including the NEET paper leak controversy.
Key demands from the protestors included strict systemic accountability and the resignation of the Union Education Minister.
Wangchuk’s high-profile involvement provided significant momentum to the nationwide movement demanding educational reform and transparency.