Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike After 26 Days, Drinks Soup From JP Nadda's Hands

New Delhi: Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike after 26 days. The social activist broke his fast after a meeting with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh at Gurugram's Medanta Hospital, where he was admitted following the deterioration of his health.

Visuals from the hospital showed Nadda helping Wangchuk drink soup from a cup. The video also showed Wangchuk telling the ministers, “I'm grateful and happy to break my fast. Thank you.”

Wangchuk's 1st Social Media Post After Ending Fast

In his first social media post after breaking the fast, Wangchuk tweeted, “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."

He added that earlier, 65 members of parliament from different political parties had visited or signed letters, urging him to break the fast. He told the public that he his decision to end the hunger strike was taken 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. meanwhile urge you all to stay very vigilant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere,” he added.

Wangchuk, protesting against NEET-UG exam paper leak, had started an indefinite hunger strike at the Jantar Mantar protest site, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. After 20 days of continuous fasting, his health deteriorated and he was forcibly moved to a hospital by Delhi Police. 

Govt's 3 Assurances To Wangchuk

Here are the three assurances that Union Minister JP Nadda read out to activist Sonam Wangchuk before he got ready to break his hunger strike:

1. The government is positive on not registering cases against those protesting peacefully at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and those participating in the march to Parliament on July 20
2. The government has assured discussion to find solutions for paper leaks and educational reforms for exams in the Parliament 
3. The government is also positively considering suitable compensation for the suicide victims of recent NEET paper leaks

After hearing the list, Wangchuk told the Union Minsters that he is grateful that the government has shown sensitivity towards NEET victims and the peaceful protesters.

“With these assurances, I am touched and am grateful to the government."

He also stressed that he is against any kind of violence and it is unacceptable to him that any anti-social elements take advantage of the protest. Thanking the ministers for their assurance, Wangchuk shook hands with Nadda and Jitendra Singh.

Thereafter, Nadda helped Wangchuk drink soup from a cup as people present in the room clapped.

In a light-hearted moment from the hospital bed, Wangchuk joked as he drank soup:

 “After 26 days this tastes very good, but hunger doesn't taste bad either.”

PM Modi Pens X Post For Wangchuk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday penned a social media post for activist Soman Wangchuk shortly after the latter ended his 26-day hunger strike. Praying for the environmentalist's health, the Prime Minister urged him to regain his old weight as soon as possible.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “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.”

‘This Reflects His Trust In Modi Govt’: BJP

The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) welcomed Wangchuk’s decision to end his fast. In a post on X, BJP Delhi wrote, “[This] reflects his trust in the Modi government's commitment to students' interests. The government has time and again reiterated its resolve to act firmly against paper leaks and strengthen examination reforms.”

It added, “The interests of the nation's youth remain a top priority for the government. As PM Modi said, India's youth are a force for nation-building and every culprit operating against the nation’s future will be punished.”

‘Relieved He Broke Fast, Protest Will Continue’: Dipke

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) Founder Abhijeet Dipke expressed the the party is  “relieved and grateful” that Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike after 26 days.

He also thanked the environmentalist for his extraordinary courage and sacrifice. “By putting your own life on the line, you awakened the conscience of an entire nation. Your life is far too precious to this country,” he added.

He further stressed that the Cockroach Janta Party’s peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, will continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.

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