Archive · 24 Jul 2026
Congress MP Facilitates End to Sonam Wangchuk's Fast
Sonam Wangchuk, a climate activist, was on a hunger strike to protest the NEET paper leak and demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Congress MP Vivek Tankha helped negotiate between Wangchuk and the government.
The government assured that no legal action would be taken against peaceful protesters and that the issues would be discussed in Parliament.
Wangchuk ended his fast after receiving these assurances, concerned about the well-being of the protesters and his own health.
Congress MP Vivek Tankha mediated between Sonam Wangchuk and the government.
Wangchuk ended his hunger strike after receiving assurances from the government.
The government assured no legal action against peaceful protesters.
Issues raised by protesters to be discussed in Parliament.
Wangchuk's health deteriorated significantly during the hunger strike.
- Who
- Sonam Wangchuk, Congress MP Vivek Tankha, Union Ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh, Ladakh civil society leaders
- What
- End of Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike after negotiations with the government
- When
- Late night on July 23, 2026
- Where
- Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon
- Why
- To resolve the impasse between the government and protesters over the NEET paper leak and related issues
Government's Position
Protesters' Demands
Resignation of Education Minister
Government's Position
The government was not ready to commit to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Protesters' Demands
The protesters, including Sonam Wangchuk, demanded the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as a principal demand.
Legal Action Against Protesters
Government's Position
The government assured that no legal action would be taken against peaceful protesters.
Protesters' Demands
Protesters sought an unequivocal assurance from the government that no punitive or retaliatory legal action would be taken against them.
- Protest Location
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Protest Duration
- Ongoing since July 20, 2026
- Key Mediator
- Congress MP Vivek Tankha
- Government Representatives
- Union Ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh
- Protester's Health Concern
- Sonam Wangchuk lost over 11 kg due to hunger strike
- Government Assurance
- No legal action against peaceful protesters
- Parliament Discussion
- Issues raised by protesters to be discussed in Parliament
- Compensation for Suicide Victims
- Suitable compensation for suicide victims following NEET paper leak