‘No cases against peaceful July 20 protesters’: Wangchuk shares govt’s assurance which made him end fast
Wangchuk Ends Fast as Government Promises No Cases Against Peaceful July 20 Protesters
Bharatmorningnews.com – Activist Sonam Wangchuk concluded his extended hunger strike on Thursday evening after receiving written confirmation from the government that there would be no cases against peaceful July 20 protesters. The union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, along with Wangchuk’s wife, were present when he broke his fast at Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon. This significant development came after the government provided a documented assurance regarding legal protection for demonstrators who participated in the peaceful march.
Through a video shared on his official X account, Wangchuk displayed the official government document that contained the crucial guarantee. The written statement specifically addressed concerns about potential legal action against participants in the Delhi demonstration that took place on July 20. This assurance was particularly important for the Cockroach Janta Party movement and its supporters who had been protesting NEET examination irregularities.
“Govt is positive on not registering cases against those protesting peacefully at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and those participating in the march to Parliament on July 20, 2026,” the written statement by the Centre, which was signed by union ministers, said.
Wangchuk emphasized this commitment on social media platforms, highlighting that officials had also promised students and young participants would not face any legal consequences for their peaceful involvement in the demonstrations. The activist had been demanding this assurance for several days before finally deciding to end his fast.
Fast Duration and Health Impact
The hunger strike began on June 28 and lasted for 26 days, during which Wangchuk lost approximately 11 kilograms of body weight. His initial decision to fast was based on claims of irregularities within the NEET examination system, and he had been calling for union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan to step down from his position. The fast was extended by two additional days as negotiations continued regarding the government’s commitments.
On July 18, Delhi Police transferred Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site to Safdarjung Hospital. His wife challenged this relocation in the Delhi high court and successfully obtained an order permitting his move to a private medical facility of his choice. This legal intervention allowed Wangchuk to continue his fast at Medanta Hospital, where he received the government’s final assurance.
Comprehensive Government Commitments
The official document provided by the government outlined multiple commitments beyond just protecting protesters from legal action. These included parliamentary discussions on NEET irregularities and broader examination reforms, as well as financial compensation for families who lost members to suicide following the NEET paper leak incident. Wangchuk shared these details in his video message to the public.
“Govt has already assured threadbare discussions to find solutions to paper leaks and educational reforms for exams in the Parliament. Besides, govt is also positively considering suitable compensations for the suicide victims of recent NEET paper leaks,” the statement by the union government said.
During his video address, Wangchuk mentioned that approximately 65 MPs from various political parties had either visited him or provided signatures to encourage him to end the fast. These parliamentarians had also pledged to discuss the NEET papers and examination system in Parliament. The presence of union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, along with members from Ladakh’s apex body, added weight to the government’s commitments.
“Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh came here, members from Ladakh’s apex body also came here. And before that, you know at least 65 MPs from various political parties either came here or gave their signatures to persuade me to end the fast. And they provided an assurance that they would discuss the NEET papers and the examination system in the Parliament. And the ministers who came from the government, they too provided this assurance,” Wangchuk said.
The activist explained that after his initial request for no cases against protesters, further negotiations extended the timeline by several days. This additional period allowed for comprehensive discussions and the finalization of all government commitments. The written assurance specifically mentioned that legal proceedings would not be initiated against calm demonstrators and participants in the Delhi march held on July 20, addressing one of the primary concerns of the movement.
Wangchuk’s decision to conclude the fast came only after receiving this documented guarantee in writing. The government’s commitment to not registering cases against peaceful July 20 protesters represented a significant victory for the movement. This assurance, combined with other promises regarding parliamentary discussions and compensation, provided the necessary conditions for Wangchuk to end his prolonged fast successfully.