Sonam Wangchuk was discharged from Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon after ending a 26-day hunger strike [1].

The activist's protest targeted the NEET exam policy and the tenure of Education Minister Pradhan. His action highlights the growing tension between regional educational demands in Ladakh and the central government's national testing standards.

Wangchuk ended the fast on July 24, 2024 [2]. Reports indicate he concluded the strike after receiving written assurances from the Centre and to prevent a potential crackdown on other protesters [3]. Other accounts suggest the decision was based on his health status [4].

The physical toll of the strike was significant. Wangchuk lost 11 kg during the period of fasting [5]. While some reports state he was treated in an intensive care unit following the fast, others focused on his discharge and recovery [4, 6].

Following his release, Wangchuk said he would visit Raj Ghat in New Delhi to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. He intends to return to Ladakh shortly after the visit [1, 7].

Despite the end of the hunger strike, the movement remains active. Wangchuk said the protest against the current exam policies will continue [7]. He has not publicly disclosed all the specific medical conditions resulting from the fast [8].

“Sonam Wangchuk was discharged from Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon after ending a 26-day hunger strike.”

The transition from a hunger strike to continued activism suggests that while a temporary truce was reached through government assurances, the core grievances regarding the NEET exam policy remain unresolved. By visiting Raj Ghat, Wangchuk aligns his modern political struggle with the non-violent legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, aiming to maintain moral authority and public visibility as he moves the protest back to the Ladakh region.