Education Reform – Sonam Wangchuk Ends 26-Day Fast After Government Assurance
Education Reform –Education reform campaigner Sonam Wangchuk has ended his 26-day hunger strike after receiving written assurances from the Central government and lawmakers from multiple political parties that concerns surrounding the country’s examination system will be discussed in Parliament. The decision marks the conclusion of a protest that had gained nationwide attention and sparked wider debate on transparency and accountability in competitive examinations.
Written Commitment Leads to End of Protest
The announcement was made on Friday through Wangchuk’s official X account, where his team confirmed that the hunger strike had been called off following commitments from the government on the principal demands raised during the protest. The post described the move as the beginning of a broader effort to ensure accountability in the education system.
According to the statement, the government assured that the issue of recurring examination paper leaks and the need for institutional reforms would be taken up for detailed discussion in Parliament. The announcement also said that the Centre had agreed to consider compensation for families of students who died by suicide in connection with the recent NEET paper leak controversy.
Union Ministers and MPs Hold Discussions
In a video message released after ending the fast, Wangchuk shared details of the discussions that preceded his decision. He said Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him along with representatives of the Ladakh Apex Body. He also recalled that nearly 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had visited him during the protest, expressing support and urging him to end the fast.
Wangchuk stated that while verbal assurances had been given earlier, he chose to continue the protest until a written commitment was provided. After receiving the official document, he decided that the objectives of the agitation had reached an important milestone and announced the conclusion of his fast.
Government Responds to Key Demands
The Centre also released a statement outlining its response to the issues raised during the protest. It said the government was inclined not to initiate legal action against students and youth who participated peacefully in demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and the Parliament march held on July 20, 2026.
The statement further noted that the government had already assured a comprehensive discussion in Parliament to explore solutions for examination paper leaks and broader reforms in the country’s examination process. It also confirmed that suitable compensation for families affected by the recent NEET paper leak tragedy was under active consideration.
Protest Highlighted Need for Examination Reforms
Wangchuk’s hunger strike attracted widespread backing from students, education activists, civil society organisations and political leaders across party lines. Many supporters argued that repeated incidents of examination paper leaks have weakened public confidence in competitive examinations and stressed the need for stronger safeguards to protect the integrity of recruitment and admission processes.
The protest also renewed calls for greater transparency, stricter accountability mechanisms and faster action against those responsible for compromising examination systems. With the government now committing to a parliamentary discussion, attention will shift to the measures that may be proposed to strengthen the country’s education and examination framework.
Observers believe the upcoming debate in Parliament will be closely watched by students and educational institutions across the country, as expectations grow for meaningful reforms that can restore trust in the examination process and prevent similar controversies in the future.