Sonam Wangchuk ends fast: What happens next to CJP protest, negotiations with govt and steps to resolve NEET paper leak crisis

Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday ended his indefinite hunger strike after the Centre assured him that students participating in peaceful protests over the alleged NEET paper leak would not face punitive or retaliatory legal action. The move marks a breakthrough in the nearly four-week-long agitation led by the CJP, which has been demanding accountability for alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. But while Wangchuk has ended his fast, the protest itself is set to continue.

What happens next?

Sonam Wangchuk:

Wangchuk joined the CJP-led protest on June 28 and began an indefinite hunger strike in support of demands for accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms to the education system and Pradhan's resignation. During the fast, he lost around 11 kg and continued the protest from Medanta Hospital after being shifted there from Safdarjung Hospital following legal proceedings. After breaking his fast, Sonam Wangchuk expressed his desire to return to Ladakh.

CJP Protests:

A delegation of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is expected to meet Union government ministers at 12:30 pm today at the Constitution Club of India.


"Our protest will continue; Constitution Club of India chosen as venue for meeting with government ministers, hoping for an open-minded dialogue," a CJP spokesperson told reporters on Thursday.

Detailing the key demands that will be raised during the meeting at the neutral venue, the spokesperson said, "Our delegation is going to meet them at a neutral venue around 12:30 PM. Our primary demand is the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. Second is a compensation of ₹1 crore (likely for affected students/families). Third are issues related to reforms in the education system."

While the CJP welcomed Wangchuk's decision to end his hunger strike, it announced that the protest would continue until Pradhan resigns.

Abhijeet Dipke said, "The Cockroach Janta Party's peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns."

Additionally, the CJP has called for nationwide peaceful protests on July 24 (Friday), demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy.

What did PM Modi and govt promise?

PM Modi on Thursday promised that "more strict" action would be taken against paper leaks as the CJP-led protests continue over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination.

In a self-recorded video shared on X, the Prime Minister announced that the Union Cabinet will take up a draft Bill providing for Fast-Track Courts and stringent punishment for offenders. he said, "I have issued directions to departments to set up Fast-Track Courts."

Stressing that the government was not stopping there, PM Modi said, "However, we are not among those who are satisfied with just that. And therefore, today I have issued directions to the departments to set up Fast-Track Courts. The departments worked tirelessly and, late last night, provided me with a draft. This draft, which includes provisions for Fast-Track Courts and stringent punishments, will be discussed in the Cabinet tomorrow," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced that government will bring in more strict actions against paper leaks. The PM said that the Union Cabinet will discuss these stringent measures on Friday and the government will try to get the Bill passed in Parliament next week. Government sources told ET that the the proposed legislative exercise would involve amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) is expected to move amendments providing for tougher punishments, higher monetary penalties, and clearly defined timelines for investigation and punitive action in cases of organised cheating and paper leaks.

He assured that the Centre will bring in stricter measures to curb examination paper leaks, including provisions for fast-track courts and harsher punishments for offenders.

Additionaly, Wangchuk said the government had assured that there would be a discussion in Parliament on accountability in the examination system, compensation for families of students who died by suicide following the recent NEET paper leak, and no cases against peaceful protesters.
Amid promises by the Centre, in a major bureaucratic reshuffle, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed IAS officer Naresh Pal Gangwar as Secretary of the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education, an official government notification said late Thursday night.

Vineet Joshi has been transferred to Secretary in the Department of Panchayati Raj.