LIVE: ‘Peaceful protests to continue until Pradhan resigns,’ says Dipke even as Wangchuk ends hunger strike

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk called off his 26-day hunger strike after receiving written assurances from the Union Government on the NEET examination controversy and broader reforms to India’s competitive examination system. Wangchuk ended his fast at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram in the presence of Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, saying the Centre had formally conveyed its commitments following discussions with him and leaders of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh.

In a video message, Wangchuk said the breakthrough came after sustained negotiations and support from around 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties, who had urged him to end the fast while assuring him that the NEET issue and examination reforms would be taken up in Parliament. Even as he welcomed the written assurances, Wangchuk maintained that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should have resigned over the controversy.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Friday said its protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, even as activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike following a written assurance from the Union Government on the NEET examination issue and systemic reforms.

In a post shared on X, CJP said, “We are relieved and grateful that Sonam sir has ended his hunger strike after 26 days. Protest will continue at Jantar Mantar till the resignation of Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.”

Activist Sonam Wangchuk released a video message after ending his 26-day hunger strike, saying his decision followed late-night discussions with the Centre. Wangchuk said Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram around midnight and conveyed the government’s assurances, which led him to call off the fast.

He indicated that the decision came after extensive deliberations and said he would share further details about the assurances and the conditions surrounding the end of his hunger strike in a separate message.

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi-led government, alleging that students seeking accountability and reforms in the education system have been met with repression instead of dialogue. She said the government had responded to their demands with “cowardice and wanton cruelty,” rather than addressing their concerns.

Sonia Gandhi further asserted that the protesting students should be seen as the country’s future, not as “enemies of the nation.” She urged the government to engage with their demands for accountability and educational reforms instead of resorting to force.

A peaceful protest in solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk and the student movement is scheduled to be held in Mumbai on Friday, July 24. The demonstration will take place at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park from 4:00 pm, with supporters expected to gather to express their backing for the ongoing movement.

Saurav Das, Chief Spokesperson, Cockroach Janta Party, says, “A discussion has been called for, we are very happy that the government has agreed to our request that it be at a neutral venue. The Constitution Club of India has been chosen.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished Sonam Wangchuk a speedy recovery after he ended his 26-day hunger strike, urging him to follow doctors’ advice and regain his health and weight as soon as possible.

Congress leader Mumtaz Patel criticised the Centre over its handling of the student protests, arguing that the confrontation could have been avoided had the government engaged with the protesters when they first attempted to march towards Parliament. She alleged that the Delhi Police used force against students instead of opening a channel for dialogue.

Patel also claimed that senior opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi, were treated poorly by the Delhi Police when they reached the Prime Minister’s residence. She questioned the government’s offer for talks after the incidents, saying the Opposition has been demanding a discussion on the issue since Parliament convened on July 20, but has not been given the opportunity.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Friday shut 17 key metro stations from 7:30 am as a precautionary measure ahead of the planned protests in the national capital. However, interchange facilities remained operational at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat stations to ensure passenger connectivity.

Visuals captured minutes before the restrictions came into effect showed commuters outside metro stations, including Jhandewalan, R.K. Ashram, Rajiv Chowk and Janpath, as authorities prepared for the closures.

Relief and gratitude marked the end of Sonam Sir’s 26-day hunger strike, with Abhijeet Dipke thanking him for what he described as an extraordinary act of courage and sacrifice. He said the prolonged fast had stirred the conscience of the nation, adding that Sonam’s life is invaluable and that his decision to end the protest has brought a sense of reassurance to supporters.

Dipke also asserted that the Cockroach Janta Party’s peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar will continue despite the hunger strike ending. He said the protest will carry on until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns, reiterating the party’s commitment to pursuing its demands through non-violent means.

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday announced that he had ended his 26-day hunger strike in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh, along with senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh. Wangchuk said his decision came after prolonged negotiations over several conditions and in light of concerns about possible violence across the country.

He also revealed that 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had either met him or written to him, urging him to end the fast. Wangchuk said he would soon release a separate video explaining the conditions that led to his decision. Meanwhile, he appealed to people to remain vigilant and ensure that no form of violence takes place anywhere.