Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk visited Rajghat on Monday to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi after ending a 26-day hunger strike [1].
Wangchuk's protest focused on alleged irregularities regarding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination paper leak. His decision to end the strike and visit the memorial underscores a commitment to non-violent protest as a tool for systemic reform in India's education and examination sectors.
Wangchuk was discharged from Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, Haryana, on July 27, 2026 [3]. He was accompanied by his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, during his visit to the memorial in New Delhi [1].
The hunger strike began on June 28, 2026 [2]. For 26 days [1], Wangchuk abstained from food to draw attention to the NEET controversy. Following his medical discharge, the visit to Rajghat served as his first stop before his planned return to Ladakh [3].
During the visit, Wangchuk said he supports the youth who have continued to protest against the examination irregularities. He said the struggle for transparency and justice is an ongoing process.
"It does not end in darkness," Wangchuk said [1].
The activist used the moment to congratulate the students and young citizens for their persistence in demanding accountability from the authorities. He framed the visit as a way to honor the legacy of Gandhi, while encouraging a new generation of activists to maintain their resolve through peaceful means.
“"It does not end in darkness"”
By linking his protest over the NEET paper leak to the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, Wangchuk is attempting to elevate a specific administrative grievance into a broader moral crusade for transparency. His transition from a hunger strike to a public tribute at Rajghat signals a shift from an individual act of desperation to a collective call for youth-led civic action, potentially intensifying pressure on the government to address the examination irregularities.
