Sonam Wangchuk Completes Medical Recovery Following 26-Day Hunger Strike

Medical Discharge and Post-Protest Logistics

Ladakhi activist Sonam Wangchuk will conclude his hospital stay on July 27, 2026, marking the end of a medical observation period following his nearly month-long hunger strike. According to his team, the discharge from Gurugram's Medanta Hospital is scheduled for approximately 11:30 a.m. Upon his release, Wangchuk plans to visit Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi, a gesture that echoes the start of his campaign when he visited the same site on June 28. Following this final stop in the capital, he will depart for Ladakh.

Timeline of Agitation and Hospitalization

Wangchuk’s 26-day fast began as a show of solidarity with students protesting alleged irregularities and paper leaks in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). His involvement in the broader 36-day mobilization resulted in several shifts between medical facilities:

• June 28, 2026: Wangchuk initiated his indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi after visiting Rajghat.
• July 18, 2026: Authorities forcibly moved the activist to Safdarjung Hospital. Wangchuk later likened his stay there to a state of detention.
• July 24, 2026: Acting on a Delhi High Court order, he was moved to Medanta Hospital, where he officially broke his fast late Thursday night.

Impact of the NEET Protest Campaign

The broader movement, spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), launched on June 20. The sustained pressure of the agitation, which Wangchuk significantly bolstered, led to a major political shift on July 25, 2026. The protests effectively concluded with the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. With the primary objective of the demonstration addressed, Wangchuk ended his fast and prepared for his return home.

Source: The Hindu — Home