1Sonam Wangchuk: New Delhi. Activist Sonam Wangchuk decided to end his 26-day hunger strike without the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as his priority was to protect the protesters who took part in the Cockroach Janata Party's 'Sansad Chalo' march on Monday over alleged examination irregularities.

Wangchuk, 59, broke his fast shortly after midnight on Thursday after the central government gave written assurances that it would not file cases against protesters, would hold a detailed discussion on exam reforms and paper leaks in Parliament, and was considering compensating the families of students who committed suicide following the NEET paper leak.

What is the whole matter?

Wangchuk had been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of members of the satirical political group CJP, who have gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and are demanding accountability for alleged irregularities in competitive exams, reforms in the education system, and the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.

However, Wangchuk was criticized for ending the fast without Pradhan's resignation. In a YouTube video posted late Friday, he said that resignation was certainly a factor, but he did not demand it during talks with the central government because his priority was to prevent any legal action against the protesters.

In a 24-minute video recorded from his hospital bed, he clarified, "I personally do not consider it necessary for me to resign." Calling the resignation a trivial matter for the central government, he said that his refusal to do so was causing him significant losses. Wangchuk said his reputation was being tarnished across the country, and people were filled with anger and hatred. He expressed confidence that the Prime Minister would eventually resign.

Wangchuk said, "I knew the central government wouldn't be able to hold out like this for long and would resign sooner or later. I knew the resignation issue would resolve itself quickly because they were the ones bearing the consequences, so I didn't press it too hard."

He added, "My focus was on ensuring the students were not inconvenienced. My main concern was legal action and the FIR. I personally did not feel it necessary to secure the minister's resignation." He added that the ongoing movement would continue to raise this demand.

A befitting reply was given to the allegations of the deal

Sonam Wangchuk also dismissed allegations that he had struck a deal with the central government. He stressed that his primary goal was to ensure that students involved in the protests did not face violence or legal consequences.

He said, "Last night, around 12 o'clock, I was told that the minister had agreed to give written assurances. I was in a hurry because the situation in Delhi was such that I feared a major crackdown. I was watching the news and was reminded of September 24, 2025, when police and CRPF personnel brutally opened fire on young people in Ladakh. I feared something similar might happen here. I thought that if I ended my fast and appealed for peace, the situation might calm down."

Responding to criticism over ending his fast in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, he said those questioning his decision were unaware of the circumstances he had to face after being removed from the protest site.

He asked, "If I had to make a deal, would I have gone hungry for 26 days? Couldn't I have just sat in an air-conditioned room and made a deal instead of fasting in the Delhi heat?"