Full Breakdown
Sonam Wangchuk Ends 26-Day Hunger Strike Over Examination Paper Leaks
7/24/2026, 2:12:55 AM
Core Event
On July 23, Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk announced the end of his 26-day hunger strike. The strike began on June 28 in solidarity with the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over repeated medical-college entrance test paper leaks.
Background & Context
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) – the gateway exam for roughly 2 million aspiring medical students competing for 130,000 seats – was cancelled in June 2026 after widespread leaks of question papers. The breach forced millions to retake the exam and was linked to at least a dozen student suicides. The CJP, a movement that grew from a satirical response to a judicial official’s “cockroach” comment, has organized nationwide protests, concentrating at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar site.
Data & Statistics
- Weight loss: Wangchuk lost 11 kg during the fast.
- Student impact: NEET serves about 2 million candidates; only 130,000 seats are available.
- Casualties: The leak scandal has been associated with at least a dozen student suicides.
Official Statements & Responses
Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a video address on X, pledging a “tougher law” to curb paper leaks and announcing that the government is working on measures to fast-track court proceedings. He later stated that the issue would be discussed by the cabinet on the following Friday.
The Delhi High Court, acting on medical advice, ordered police to transfer Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital after doctors warned of severe dehydration, hypokalemia and the risk of life-threatening complications. The court emphasized that the move was based on medical necessity, not arbitrary detention.
On-the-Ground Reports
Thousands of students and supporters have continued to protest at Jantar Mantar and across other Indian cities. The movement has drawn video and text messages of support from public figures, including Bollywood actors, and has been described by some observers as a new Gen Z-driven challenge to Prime Minister Modi’s administration.
Timeline
- June 28: Wangchuk begins hunger strike in solidarity with the CJP.
- July 20: Police forcibly move Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital after his health deteriorates; the Delhi High Court upholds the transfer.
- July 23: Wangchuk ends the fast, citing negotiations and concerns about potential violence.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our demand for a resignation will bring some accountability to the system,” — Sonam Wangchuk, indian activist
- “We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks,” — Narendra Modi, after prime minister
What’s Next
The government has indicated that the issue of examination paper leaks will be debated in the cabinet on the upcoming Friday, and officials have signaled intent to establish fast-track courts to punish those involved. The CJP has said it will continue pressing for ministerial resignation and broader accountability in the education system.
