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Sonam Wangchuk

Wangchuk to be discharged on Monday, leave for Ladakh after Rajghat visit

Activist Sonam Wangchuk will be discharged from Medanta Hospital on Monday and will visit Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi before leaving for Ladakh, his team said. Wangchuk, who is recovering in the hospital in Gurugram after he broke his 26-day fast late Friday night, is expected to be discharged at around 11.30 am on Monday. After his discharge, he would visit Rajghat before departing. He earlier paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on June 28 before launching his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar here to support students protesting alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Wangchuk had joined the agitation on June 28 and remained on an indefinite fast for 26 days. He was forcibly shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18, where he said he felt like he was being kept in detention. Following a Delhi high court order, Wangchuk was shifted to Medanta Hospital. The 36-day agitation, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), ended on Saturday with the resigna

Wangchuk to be discharged on Monday, leave for Ladakh after Rajghat visit
Updated On : 26 Jul 2026 | 7:51 PM IST

Sonam Wangchuk alleges harassment at Safdarjung; hospital clarifies

Activist Sonam Wangchuk released a video on YouTube late Friday night, recounting his experience over the past few days and sharing a clip of what transpired as he was leaving the Safdarjung Hospital after the Delhi High Court allowed him to be shifted to the Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. However, the Safdarjung Hospital has said that the video was recorded before its administration received the written order of the high court. Delhi Police on July 18 forcefully shifted Wangchuk to the Safdarjung Hospital from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest site at the Jantar Mantar, where he had been on a hunger strike since June 28 in support of the CJP's demands for accountability for paper leaks and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, among others. He was shifted to Medanta on July 21 following a Delhi High Court direction. In the video, Wangchuk could be seen getting into a confrontation with a security person at the Safdarjung Hospital, alleging that he was being ...

Sonam Wangchuk alleges harassment at Safdarjung; hospital clarifies
Updated On : 25 Jul 2026 | 12:09 PM IST

India's education crisis needs systemic reform, not bureaucratic reshuffles

Our education system is a destroyer of all talent by enforcing learning by rote, and then holding coaching classes to 'crack' competitive exams. And then, papers leak

India's education crisis needs systemic reform, not bureaucratic reshuffles
Updated On : 25 Jul 2026 | 9:31 AM IST

Ended fast fearing crackdown like Ladakh: Wangchuk denies deal with Centre

Activist Sonam Wangchuk said he decided to end his 26-day hunger strike after receiving the Centre's written assurances because he feared an imminent crackdown on protesters and wanted to prevent violence, recalling the September 24, 2025 firing on youth in Ladakh. In a YouTube video posted late Friday night, Wangchuk dismissed allegations that he had reached a deal with the government. He emphasised that his primary goal was to ensure that students involved in the protests would not face violence or legal consequences. He explained that he did not demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during negotiations because his priority was to prevent any legal actions against protesters. Wangchuk expressed confidence that Pradhan would resign eventually. "Last night around midnight, I was told the ministers had agreed to give the assurance in writing. I was in a hurry because the situation in Delhi was such; there was apprehension that a major crackdown could happen.

Ended fast fearing crackdown like Ladakh: Wangchuk denies deal with Centre
Updated On : 25 Jul 2026 | 8:45 AM IST

Student protests expose deeper flaws in India's growth and education model

The anxieties and aspirations of the youth are an opportunity for a more consequential debate on India's economic trajectory

Student protests expose deeper flaws in India's growth and education model
Updated On : 24 Jul 2026 | 10:37 PM IST

Cabinet clears Bill proposing stricter punishment in paper leak crackdown

Pradhan's resignation non-negotiable, says CJP; NTA fires 47 officials as part of Neet protest outreach; SC to hear pleas on police excesses on July 27

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Updated On : 24 Jul 2026 | 10:36 PM IST

List of govt assurances that led Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike

Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike after the Centre assured action on key demands, including a parliamentary discussion on paper leaks and no cases against peaceful protesters

List of govt assurances that led Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike
Updated On : 24 Jul 2026 | 11:25 AM IST

Wangchuk ends fast after Centre's assurances; Modi promises tougher action

Sonam said that he broke his fast after receiving written assurances from the Centre that his demands would be met

Wangchuk ends fast after Centre's assurances; Modi promises tougher action
Updated On : 24 Jul 2026 | 9:48 AM IST

Jantar Mantar protest to continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns: CJP

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) said it was "relieved and grateful" that activist Sonam Wangchuk had ended his 26-day hunger strike, but asserted that its peaceful protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar would continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. In a post on X, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke thanked Wangchuk for his "extraordinary courage and sacrifice". "We are relieved and grateful that Sonam sir has ended his hunger strike after 26 days. Thank you, sir, for your extraordinary courage and sacrifice. By putting your own life on the line, you awakened the conscience of an entire nation. Your life is far too precious to this country," Dipke said. He added, "The Cockroach Janta Party's peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns." Wangchuk ended his indefinite hunger strike late on Thursday after the Centre assured him that it would not initiate action against peaceful protesters and would consider his key demands regarding ..

Jantar Mantar protest to continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns: CJP
Updated On : 24 Jul 2026 | 8:18 AM IST

Wangchuk ends hunger strike after govt assures him of meeting his demands

Wangchuk ended his indefinite hunger strike shortly after midnight on Thursday at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram

Wangchuk ends hunger strike after govt assures him of meeting his demands
Updated On : 24 Jul 2026 | 1:39 AM IST

CJP hardens protest stand as Wangchuk sets terms to end his hunger strike

The CJP said talks with the Centre must be held at Jantar Mantar, while Sonam Wangchuk sought an assurance that protesters would not face any punitive legal action

CJP hardens protest stand as Wangchuk sets terms to end his hunger strike
Updated On : 23 Jul 2026 | 10:37 AM IST

Will end fast if Centre assures no action against protesters: Wangchuk

Sonam Wangchuk said he will end his hunger strike if the Centre assures no legal action against student protesters, citing commitments on his other key demands

Will end fast if Centre assures no action against protesters: Wangchuk
Updated On : 23 Jul 2026 | 7:24 AM IST

Govt ready for Neet discussion, but Oppn says Pradhan must resign first

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has said he will end fast if the Centre assures no action against protesters

Govt ready for Neet discussion, but Oppn says Pradhan must resign first
Updated On : 22 Jul 2026 | 11:16 PM IST

Opposition MPs' delegation to meet Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital

A delegation of opposition MPs will visit Sonam Wangchuk at Gurugram's Medanta Hospital to persuade him to end his 25-day fast, and assure him that issues relating to the alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and accountability in the education sector will be raised in Parliament, sources said on Tuesday. The delegation will urge the activist, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for the last 25 days, to end his fast after assuring him that the Opposition will take up the matter inside Parliament, the sources said. Congress Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose and CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas will be among those who meet Wangchuk, according to the sources. Earlier, Wangchuk said he would end his fast if Members of Parliament and leaders of political parties assured him that the issue of accountability in the education sector would be taken up during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. However, following the police crackdown on ...

Opposition MPs' delegation to meet Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital
Updated On : 22 Jul 2026 | 2:45 PM IST

US advocacy group backs Sonam Wangchuk with protests in New York, San Jose

Activists from a US-based advocacy group held demonstrations in New York and San Jose to express solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike in New Delhi over alleged irregularities in the conduct of the NEET exams. Activists from the 'Hindus for Human Rights' gathered at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in New York City's Union Square and San Jose on Monday evening carrying placards bearing slogans in support of Wangchuk. The activists also raised slogans against the Indian government and demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Similar solidarity demonstrations were also held outside the Indian High Commission in London and the Indian Embassy in Dublin, the Hindus for Human Rights said in a statement here on Tuesday. "Our protests sent a clear message, whether in New York or London, San Jose or Dublin: India's students deserve to be treated with fairness and dignity," the group said in a statement. "The youth of Indi

US advocacy group backs Sonam Wangchuk with protests in New York, San Jose
Updated On : 22 Jul 2026 | 8:29 AM IST

Ill-judged crackdown: Government must engage constructively with protestors

The Delhi student protests underscore growing anger over exam failures, demanding accountability, education reforms, and meaningful government engagement instead of police action

Ill-judged crackdown: Government must engage constructively with protestors
Updated On : 21 Jul 2026 | 10:12 PM IST

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka detained after sit-in protest outside PM's residence

Police detained several Opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, while clearing a protest backing students' demands over the NEET-UG paper leak

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka detained after sit-in protest outside PM's residence
Updated On : 21 Jul 2026 | 8:00 PM IST

What are Sonam Wangchuk’s three conditions for ending his hunger strike? CJP protest in Delhi

Sonam Wangchuk has said he will end his 20-day hunger strike only if three conditions are fulfilled. The demands come ahead of the Cockroach Janata Party's planned march to Parliament on July 20.

Icon YoutubeWhat are Sonam Wangchuk’s three conditions for ending his hunger strike? CJP protest in Delhi
Updated On : 21 Jul 2026 | 7:14 PM IST

Delhi HC allows Wangchuk's transfer from Safdarjung to Medanta Hospital

Sonam Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of the CJP student protest over exam paper leaks and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

Delhi HC allows Wangchuk's transfer from Safdarjung to Medanta Hospital
Updated On : 21 Jul 2026 | 2:05 PM IST

Aiims doctors seek presidential probe into Wangchuk's hospitalisation

The Resident Doctors' Association of Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital have urged President Droupadi Murmu to safeguard patient rights, citing reports that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was allegedly not allowed to avail Leave Against Medical Advice (LAMA) despite being a "competent patient". In a representation submitted on Monday, the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) said that if the reports were accurate, they raised serious concerns regarding informed consent, personal liberty and constitutional rights. It asserted that hospitals are institutions of healing and should not be perceived as places of detention except where restrictions are expressly authorised by law and carried out in accordance with due process. The association sought the President's intervention to uphold constitutional rights, medical ethics, patient autonomy and the independence of public healthcare institutions, besides demanding an independent inquiry into the reported events at .

Aiims doctors seek presidential probe into Wangchuk's hospitalisation
Updated On : 21 Jul 2026 | 1:01 PM IST