Activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his 26-day hunger strike after weeks of negotiations with the Centre, doing the same in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh after being assured that the accountability of paper leaks in India will be discussed by all political parties in Parliament.
Visuals from the hospital showed Jitendra Singh helping Wangchuk sit up on his bed while Nadda offered him his first sip from a cup to end the fast. Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, was by his side during the emotional moment.
"I'm grateful and happy to break my fast. Thank you," Wangchuk said before turning to his wife and adding, "Gitanjali has always been by my side. I don't want to thank you but express my feelings."
According to sources, Nadda and Singh met Wangchuk after discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The activist formally ended his fast following the meeting.
Shortly afterwards, Wangchuk confirmed the development in a post on X, saying he had broken his fast after "long negotiations" and because of concerns that the agitation could turn violent.
"Just now, in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh, I finally broke my fast after 26 days," he wrote.
Wangchuk said 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had either visited him or appealed to him to end his 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," he said.
Even as he ended the fast, Wangchuk urged supporters to keep the movement peaceful. "Meanwhile, I urge you all to stay very vigilant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere," he said.
Reacting to the development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished Wangchuk a speedy recovery and urged him to follow doctors' advice.
"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 in a post on X.
Wangchuk began his indefinite hunger strike on June 28 after joining the student-led agitation at Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET paper leak. The movement, spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has been demanding sweeping education reforms, accountability over examination irregularities and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Last week, Wangchuk was removed from the protest site and admitted to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. He refused to end his fast there, following which his wife approached the Delhi High Court, alleging inadequate medical care. The court later permitted his transfer to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. Doctors had said Wangchuk had lost around 11 kg during the course of his hunger strike.