Sonam Wangchuk is continuing an indefinite hunger strike in Delhi to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The protest highlights growing public anger over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), a high-stakes exam for medical aspirants. Because the exam determines access to medical education, any breach of integrity threatens the meritocracy of the Indian healthcare system.
Wangchuk began his fast on June 28, 2026. Reports on the duration of the strike vary across sources, with Reuters stating he had fasted for 17 days as of July 14 [1], while news24online reported 19 days [2], and another MSN report cited 21 days [3].
The activist's health has become a central point of contention in the Delhi High Court. Evidence from his medical condition shows that his weight has dropped and his blood pressure has reduced since the strike began [4]. A lawyer said that Wangchuk could die within two days without medical intervention [4].
The Indian government has informed the Delhi High Court that it will intervene as required based on doctor advice [2]. Despite this, Wangchuk has refused to break his fast, maintaining that the accountability of the Education Minister is the only acceptable resolution to the crisis.
Wangchuk has called for the public to join a march to Parliament to increase pressure on the administration. He said that the scale of the NEET irregularities requires a high-level political resignation to restore faith in the national examination process.
“Sonam Wangchuk is continuing an indefinite hunger strike in Delhi”
This protest underscores a deepening crisis of confidence in India's centralized testing systems. By linking his personal health to the resignation of a cabinet minister, Wangchuk is attempting to transform a bureaucratic failure into a political necessity, forcing the government to choose between a public health tragedy and a high-level political sacrifice.
