It felt like North Korea: Sonam Wangchuk denies deal with Centre over ending 26-day fast

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Jul 25, 2026: Activist Sonam Wangchuk has rejected allegations that he struck a "deal" with the Centre to end his 26-day indefinite hunger strike, saying his decision was motivated solely by concerns over the safety of students protesting in Delhi.

In a YouTube video released late Friday, Wangchuk said he agreed to call off his fast only after receiving a written assurance from the Central government that no legal action would be taken against peaceful protesters. He said he feared a police crackdown similar to the one witnessed in Ladakh last year.

"I was informed around midnight that the ministers had agreed to provide the assurance in writing. I was in a hurry because there were fears of a major crackdown in Delhi," Wangchuk said.

Recalling the events of September 24, 2025, he alleged that police and CRPF personnel had used excessive force against protesting youth in Ladakh. Fearing a repeat of such action in Delhi, he said he decided to end his fast and appeal for peace to prevent further escalation.

Responding to criticism over ending the fast in the presence of Union ministers, Wangchuk denied compromising with the government.

"If I wanted to make a deal, would I have remained on a hunger strike for 26 days? I could have done that from an air-conditioned room instead of fasting in Delhi’s heat," he said.

Wangchuk clarified that he did not insist on the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during discussions, saying his immediate priority was to ensure that protesting students were protected from police action and legal cases.

"My main concern was that students should not suffer. Preventing FIRs and legal action against them was more important than seeking the minister’s resignation," he said.

He also alleged that after being shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18, he was kept under strict restrictions, claiming he was not allowed to move freely, meet visitors, or use a mobile phone or laptop.

"It felt like being in North Korea," Wangchuk remarked, adding that he was prevented from leaving the hospital for several hours even after the Delhi High Court permitted his transfer to Medanta Hospital.

According to Wangchuk, Union ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh agreed to positively consider compensation for the families of students who died by suicide following the alleged NEET paper leak. They also assured that Parliament would hold a detailed discussion on examination reforms and accountability.

However, Wangchuk said he refused to end his fast until the government provided a written assurance that no cases would be filed against peaceful protesters.

"They initially agreed to compensation and a parliamentary discussion but only offered a verbal assurance on not filing cases. I insisted on a written assurance and did not relent until they agreed," he said.

Wangchuk also expressed disappointment that fellow protesters, Members of Parliament, and representatives from Ladakh could not be present when he ended his fast.

"The biggest sorrow in my heart is that my colleagues, the students, and the MPs who had come to support me could not be there when I ended my fast," he said.

Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike shortly after midnight on Thursday after the Centre issued a written assurance stating that it was positively considering not registering cases against peaceful protesters, would hold a detailed discussion in Parliament on examination reforms and paper leaks, and was favourably considering compensation for the families of students who died by suicide following the alleged NEET paper leak.