Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is on day 17 [1] of a hunger strike in Delhi to protest an alleged leak of the NEET 2026 examination paper.
The protest highlights growing public anger over the integrity of India's medical entrance exams and the perceived lack of accountability within the education ministry.
Wangchuk is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The activist's health has declined as the strike continues, with reports indicating he has lost 8.5 kg [1] of body weight.
Supporters have gathered at the CJP protest site in Delhi to express solidarity with the Ladakh-based activist. The group alleges that the NEET (UG) 2026 paper was leaked, which they said compromised the fairness of the national examination [1].
Organizers have announced a planned march to Parliament scheduled for July 20 [2]. This escalation aims to bring direct pressure on government officials to address the transparency of the testing process and the allegations of systemic corruption.
Wangchuk, known for his environmental and educational reforms in Ladakh, has transitioned his focus to the national education crisis. The hunger strike serves as a focal point for students and parents who believe the current administration has failed to protect the meritocracy of the medical admission process [1].
Local authorities in Delhi continue to monitor the protest site as the July 20 march approaches [2]. The movement seeks a formal investigation into the leak and a change in leadership at the ministry to ensure future examinations are secure.
“Sonam Wangchuk is on day 17 of a hunger strike in Delhi”
The involvement of a high-profile figure like Sonam Wangchuk elevates a localized student grievance into a national political issue. By linking the NEET paper leak to a demand for the Education Minister's resignation, the protest shifts the focus from administrative error to a demand for systemic political accountability in India's academic infrastructure.
