PM addresses students; Sonam Wangchuk ends quickly

Sonam Wangchuk broke his fast in the presence of two Union ministers, says co-organizer Leh Apex Body. Photo: Special arrangement

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was on hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over NEET irregularities, ended his fast late on Thursday (July 24, 2026) night.

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The move came even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a late-night video message posted on his X and Instagram accounts, promised that the government would discuss the NEET paper leaks in a cabinet meeting on Friday (July 24) and introduce a bill in Parliament next week. “Stronger measures against paper leaks will come in tomorrow’s cabinet meeting,” Mr. Modi said in his post.

Mr. Wangchuk broke his fast in the presence of two Union ministers, said Cherring Dorjay Lakruk, co-organizer, Leh Apex Body.

He broke the fast under certain conditions, with the government giving a written assurance that the cases against the students would be withdrawn if they were not violent, Mr. Dorjay said. The government also said it would consider compensating the families of suicide victims, he said. The development comes shortly after the Center shifted Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi to the Panchayati Raj Ministry. Meanwhile, government sources told The Hindu that CJP leaders may meet Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh on Friday. The CJP’s reply to the meeting was awaited.

The CJP had earlier asked the ministers to meet the delegation at Jantar Mantar or any other neutral place.

Among the changes in the education ministry, Naresh Pal Gangwar, who served as secretary in the animal husbandry ministry, has now been appointed as higher education minister. TK Anil Kumar, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development, has been appointed as School Education Secretary, another post held by Mr. Joshi.

Earlier in the day, in his first contact with protesters three days after the CJP-led march to Parliament, Mr. Modi announced the setting up of fast track courts to quickly deal with paper leak cases. He said the welfare of the youth was his government’s top priority and declared that no one who tries to harm their future will be spared. The CJP, however, said the motion did not address the issue of Mr. Pradhan’s accountability or resignation.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement, the Delhi High Court notified a designated court to deal with criminal cases arising out of the paper leak and also the use of other unfair means in public examinations. The special court will operate from the Rouse Avenue Court Complex.

Earlier on Thursday, Mr. Singh said the Center had approached the CJP four times in the last 24 hours for talks. He said the meeting could be held either at Mr Nadda’s official residence or office, adding that Mr Modi was “sensitive” to the paper leak issue and that “the government was not sitting on prestige”.

While the CJP refused to negotiate with the government, inside parliament the opposition stepped up its attack. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi have accused the Modi government of destroying the education system and using force against students. “You have allowed and encouraged the total capture and destruction of our education system – and you have protected every person responsible,” Mr Gandhi wrote on X. Mr Kharge asked the government to “(c)ome out of your air-conditioned ivory towers and look into the eyes of the young men and women who are bleeding in the streets.”

Government sources said that henceforth, all NTA paper leak cases will be dealt with under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Malpractice) Act, 2024. “The Center will soon ask states and respective high courts to set up fast track courts to deal with the cases,” sources said. The Jantar Mantar protest site remained under heavy security cover and traffic was disrupted in parts of central Delhi for the second consecutive day. 17 Delhi Metro stations remained closed on Thursday and mobile internet was suspended in parts of central Delhi within a 1.5 km radius of Jantar Mantar till midnight. The CJP also called for a nationwide agitation on Friday (July 24) and asked its supporters to protest in every district.

(With inputs from PTI)

Published – 23 Jul 2026 16:42 IST