Sonam Wangchuk Continues Hunger Strike Over NEET Leak and Ladakh Demands
The activist has lost more than 8 kilograms and says the government has not responded to demands over the exam leak or Ladakh autonomy.
- Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk continues his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi as of Thursday, July 16, 2026, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG examination paper leak.
- The NEET-UG 2026 examination, held on May 3, was cancelled on May 12 after investigations confirmed question papers were leaked; media reports indicate at least eleven students died by suicide following the cancellation.
- Union officials have not responded to the Cockroach Janta Party's 25-day protest, while Pradhan dismissed the movement as a "B-team of disruptive elements" and ruled out his resignation.
- Protesters plan a march from Jantar Mantar to the Indian Parliament on July 20, with the CJP inviting MPs from all parties to raise the NEET issue during the upcoming monsoon session.
- Historical precedent includes activist Anna Hazare's 12-day fast in 2011 demanding the Lokpal bill, to which the government responded through direct engagement with protesters.
52 Articles
52 Articles
Why Sonam Wangchuk's Fast has Sparked a Wave of Instagram Activism
Social media has recently been flooded with reels and posts with concern for Sonam Wangchuk and in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party. What explains the new wave of reels by influencers who were previously silent on the NEET paper leak?
Hunger strike in India intensifies
Sonam Wangchuk has long campaigned for the reform of India’s corrupt and inefficient system of entrance exams for higher education. That issue is also central to the recently formed Cockroach Janata Party protest movement, led by people decades younger than Wangchuk, who is 59-years-old. In India, millions of students compete vigorously for a small number of university seats via high-stakes entrance exams. The pressure is extreme, and thousands …
CM Omar says Centre must talk to Sonam Wangchuk; compares silence to Anna Hazare protest response
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said it was surprising that Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for 18 days and has lost 9 kg, yet the government has made no effort to initiate a dialogue or persuade him to end his fast. Drawing parallels with Anna Hazare's hunger strike at Ramlila Maidan, Omar said the then UPA government led by Dr. Manmohan Singh had deputed ministers to engage with Hazare and convince him to end his protes…
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