Sonam Wangchuk, an activist who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28, broke his fast on Friday, July 24, 2026, according to Cherring Dorjay Lakruk, co-convenor of the Leh Apex Body. Wangchuk ended his fast in the presence of two Union Ministers, after the government provided a written assurance that cases against students would be withdrawn if they were not violent. The government also gave a written assurance that they will consider compensation for suicide victims.
This development comes after Wangchuk’s 26-day hunger strike, during which he urged supporters of the ongoing students’ movement to remain peaceful. In a post on X, Wangchuk emphasized that peace and only peace is his way, and appealed to his supporters to keep the protests peaceful. His appeal came days after the July 20 ‘Sansad Chalo’ march, during which the Delhi Police stopped thousands of protesters from marching towards Parliament by using tear gas and baton charges.
Protesters have also alleged the use of pellet guns and tasers. Wangchuk’s appeal was in response to reports that anti-social elements were trying to provoke violence elsewhere, while the protest at Jantar Mantar remained peaceful. He asked his supporters to respond to any provocation with flowers, and to keep the tradition of peaceful protests at all costs.
Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo also defended the protesters, saying it was deeply painful to see students being portrayed negatively. She praised the conduct of the young protesters, saying they had looked after strangers like family, shared food and water, cleaned and swept their own protest sites, cared for the elderly, sung Jana Gana Mana and songs of hope together, stayed disciplined under immense provocation, and kept the movement alive through countless acts of selfless service. The CJP-led agitation began on June 20, demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Wangchuk, who joined the agitation on June 28 and has been on an indefinite hunger strike since then, is currently admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. He has offered to end his fast if the Centre assures that no punitive action will be taken against peaceful protesters who participated in the movement.
