Climate activist and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk is set to be discharged from Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on Monday after recovering from a 26-day indefinite hunger strike undertaken in support of students protesting alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
His team confirmed that Wangchuk will leave the hospital on Monday morning before visiting Rajghat in New Delhi to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. He is then expected to return to Ladakh.
Hunger strike ends after student protest concludes
Wangchuk had joined the student-led agitation at Jantar Mantar on June 28, demanding greater transparency and accountability in India’s public examination system. He remained on an indefinite fast for 26 days before ending it last week.
The protest itself lasted 36 days and concluded following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan amid mounting pressure over alleged examination irregularities.
Hospitalised after court intervention
During the fast, Wangchuk’s health deteriorated, prompting authorities to shift him from the protest site to Safdarjung Hospital. Following a Delhi High Court order, he was later transferred to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he remained under the care of a specialised medical team.
Doctors monitored his condition closely throughout his treatment, and his team has now confirmed that he has recovered sufficiently to be discharged.
Focus returns to education reforms
Wangchuk’s fast drew nationwide attention to concerns over examination transparency and fairness. The movement has also intensified discussions on reforms in India’s examination system, with the Centre recently announcing a high-powered task force led by technology expert Nandan Nilekani to recommend technology-driven reforms aimed at improving the credibility and transparency of public examinations.