Story perspectives

Hunger Strike Ends, Delhi Police Crackdown Sparks Nationwide Protests

7/25/2026

Center

Sonam Wangchuk Ends

Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on July 23, 2026, with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh present.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted an Instagram video pledging fast-track courts and a law to punish exam paper leaks.
Amit Shah led a four-hour meeting, promising no legal action and a reform debate.
Police used gas and batons at Jantar Mantar, injuring dozens, closing 16 Delhi metro stations.

Left

Sonam Wangchuk Ends

Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on July 23, 2026, in the presence of Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh.
Human-rights groups warned the metro closures and internet blocks were intended to suppress protests, raising civil-liberty concerns.
Protests spread to Bengaluru, Ranchi, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram and Kolkata, while police detained students in Mumbai.
The Cockroach Janta Party and leaders demanded Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and exam reforms.

History

Historical Context

Student activism at Jawaharlal Nehru University surged in February 2016 after a cultural event led to sedition arrests of Kanhaiya Kumar and Umar Khalid and condemnation from over 500 academics. The same crackdown pattern reappeared in 2026 when Sonam Wangchuk’s 26-day hunger strike and protests in Bengaluru, Pune and Kolkata compelled ministers JP Nadda and Amit Shah to address demand leaks.

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Sonam Wangchuk Ends

Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on July 23, 2026, with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh present.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted an Instagram video pledging fast-track courts and a law to punish exam paper leaks.
Amit Shah led a four-hour meeting, promising no legal action and a reform debate.
Police used gas and batons at Jantar Mantar, injuring dozens, closing 16 Delhi metro stations.

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