Sonam Wangchuk Set for Hospital Discharge on Monday After Health Recovery
Environmentalist to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi before leaving Delhi, marking the end of a prolonged protest linked to the NEET examination controversy.
New Delhi, July 26: Activist and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk is scheduled to be discharged from Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on Monday after recovering from the health complications caused by his prolonged fast. Before heading back to Ladakh, Wangchuk will visit Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi, his team confirmed on Sunday.
According to his associates, Wangchuk is expected to leave the hospital at around 11:30 a.m. Following his discharge, he will travel to Rajghat, where he plans to offer floral tributes at the memorial dedicated to the Father of the Nation. The visit is being viewed as a symbolic conclusion to his weeks-long campaign demanding accountability and reforms in the country’s education system.
The activist had first visited Rajghat on June 28, just before beginning his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with students protesting alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. His decision to return to the memorial before leaving the national capital underscores the non-violent principles that guided his protest.
Wangchuk remained on a hunger strike for 26 days, drawing nationwide attention to the concerns raised by students over transparency and fairness in competitive examinations. His deteriorating health during the fast prompted authorities to shift him to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18.
At the time, Wangchuk claimed he had been moved against his will and alleged that he was being kept under conditions similar to detention. His remarks triggered widespread debate, with supporters demanding better medical care and greater freedom for the activist.
Subsequently, the Delhi High Court directed that he be transferred to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he received specialized treatment. Doctors closely monitored his recovery after he ended his fast late on Friday night, following medical advice.
His protest formed part of a broader movement led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which began on June 20 and continued for 36 days. The campaign sought greater accountability over alleged examination irregularities and called for reforms in the education system.
The agitation concluded on Saturday, with organizers declaring victory after the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Protest leaders described the development as a significant outcome of the sustained public movement, although they said efforts for comprehensive education reforms would continue.
Throughout the demonstration, Wangchuk repeatedly emphasized peaceful protest and constitutional methods, urging students to pursue change through democratic means. His fast became a rallying point for thousands of young people, educators and civil society groups who supported demands for a more transparent examination process.
With his health steadily improving, Wangchuk is now preparing to return to Ladakh, where he is expected to resume his environmental and social initiatives after completing his brief visit to Rajghat. His supporters say the journey symbolizes both recovery and a renewed commitment to public causes.
