Activist Sonam Wangchuk has explained why he ended his 26-day hunger strike without securing the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saying his immediate priority was protecting students and protesters from legal action.

Wangchuk had been observing an indefinite fast since June 28 in solidarity with members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), who have been protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, demands for education reforms and the resignation of the education minister.

He ended his fast shortly after midnight on Thursday after the Centre gave written assurances that no cases would be registered against peaceful protesters, Parliament would hold a detailed discussion on examination reforms and paper leaks, and compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak was under consideration.

Wangchuk explains why resignation was not his immediate demand

In a YouTube video recorded from his hospital bed and released on Friday night, the 59-year-old activist responded to criticism over ending his hunger strike without obtaining Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

Wangchuk said the minister’s resignation remained an important issue but was not the central focus of his negotiations with the Centre.

According to him, ensuring that protesting students did not face FIRs or other legal action was a more urgent concern.

He said he believed the issue of the minister’s resignation would eventually resolve itself and that the movement demanding accountability would continue pursuing that objective.

Rejects allegations of reaching a deal

Wangchuk also dismissed allegations that he had struck a deal with the Centre to end his fast.

He said he was concerned about reports suggesting a possible crackdown on protesters and feared a repeat of the events of September 2025 in Ladakh, where he alleged security forces used force against young protesters.

According to Wangchuk, he believed ending his fast and appealing for peace could help prevent further escalation.

Questioning allegations against him, he said someone seeking a deal would not have remained on a hunger strike for 26 days.

Written assurance on protesters was key condition

Wangchuk said Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram after he was shifted there from the protest site.

He claimed the ministers agreed to positively consider compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak and to support a discussion in Parliament on accountability in the examination system.

However, he said he refused to end his fast until the Centre provided a written assurance that peaceful protesters would not face legal action.

According to Wangchuk, the Centre initially offered only a verbal assurance, but he insisted on a written commitment before agreeing to conclude his fast.

Regrets supporters could not witness end of fast

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

He claimed many of them were not allowed to meet him before the Union ministers arrived at the hospital.

Calling it his biggest regret, Wangchuk said he had hoped to conclude his fast in the presence of those who had stood by him throughout the movement.

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has dismissed as fake a series of AI-generated videos featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Piyush Goyal that are being circulated on social media with misleading claims.

According to the PIB’s Fact Check Unit, the videos have been created using artificial intelligence and digitally manipulated audio, and neither the Prime Minister nor the Union Minister made the statements attributed to them.

PIB says videos use altered audio to spread misinformation

The government said the misleading clips are being amplified by Pakistani propaganda handles as part of an effort to spread misinformation online.

Officials said the manipulated videos falsely portray Prime Minister Modi and Piyush Goyal as threatening students and warning them of severe consequences. The audio in the clips has reportedly been altered to create a false narrative.

Original videos were digitally manipulated

The PIB said one of the fake videos was created by modifying the Prime Minister’s address delivered on Thursday night, during which he had assured strict action against those involved in paper leak cases.

Another manipulated clip uses a sound bite of Union Minister Piyush Goyal speaking outside Parliament, with the audio allegedly edited to make it appear as though he was issuing threats to protesters.

The Fact Check Unit clarified that both videos are fabricated and do not reflect the actual statements made by the two leaders.

Government asks public to report fake content

The PIB has appealed to the public to remain cautious while sharing online content and to report any suspected fake or manipulated government-related information.

People can report such content through the PIB Fact Check WhatsApp number +91 87997 11259 or by emailing [email protected].

About the PIB Fact Check Unit

The Press Information Bureau serves as the Government of India’s official agency for disseminating information related to government policies, programmes and initiatives to the media. It also acts as a communication bridge between the government and the public.

Launched in November 2019, the PIB Fact Check Unit is dedicated to identifying and countering fake news, rumours and misleading claims related to government ministries, departments, policies and public sector undertakings.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has said on Friday that protests will continue until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns or is sacked.

The CJP made the statement after talks, the second such attempt to bring the protest to a close, with the Centre represented by Health Minister JP Nadda and Minister of State in the PMO Jjitendra Singh at the Constitution Club. The two sides had met last on July 20 at Nadda’s house, the day protesters were lathicharged by Delhi Police personnel when they were marching to Parliament. Reports said the Centre asked for time till Saturday afternoon over the demand that Pradhan resign.

CJP’s Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das attended for the protesters. Ranka said they hoped the government removes Pradhan soon and said the government has agreed in-principle to announce compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and the withdrawal of FIRs, cases against the protesting students.

Nadda told media that the two-hour meeting discussed the three main demands as well as five reform suggestions from the students with regard to conducting NEET.  He said they will meet again with the CJP team tomorrow to inform them on the Cabinet’s decision on whether Pradhan should resign.  

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke had said hours before the meeting with the government that only Pradhan’s resignation would do. Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hungerstrike at midnight last night in the presence of the two ministers after assurances that the main demands would be met. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an X video post last night said the government will move a draft bill on fast-track courts pushing for tough penalties against people who leak papers. Further, the Centre shunted Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi and appointed a new official.