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July 24, 2026 11:09 AM IST

students | Gurugram | Sonam Wangchuk | students welfare | Medanta Hospital | Piyush Goyal

Sonam Wangchuk’s decision to end fast reflects his trust in Centre’s commitment to students’ interests: Piyush Goyal

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Friday said that social activist Sonam Wangchuk’s decision to end his 26-day fast reflects his trust in the Narendra Modi government’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of students and strengthening examination reforms.

In a post on X, Goyal said, “Sonam Wangchuk ji has ended his fast after my colleagues, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda ji and Shri Dr Jitendra Singh ji met him at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, and assured him of the government’s commitment to address the concerns. Wangchuk ji’s decision to end his fast reflects his trust in the Modi government’s commitment to students’ interests.”

The Union Minister reiterated that the government remains committed to acting firmly against examination paper leaks and introducing reforms to strengthen the integrity of the examination system.

“The government has time and again reiterated its resolve to act firmly against paper leaks and strengthen examination reforms. The interests of the nation’s youth remain a top priority for the government,” he said.

Quoting PM Modi, Goyal added that “India’s youth are a force for nation-building and every culprit operating against the nation’s future will be punished.

Meanwhile, PM Modi welcomed Wangchuk’s decision to end his fast and wished him a speedy recovery.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister urged Wangchuk to follow doctors’ advice and regain his health. “I urge Sonam ji to follow his routine as per the doctors’ advice and regain his old weight as soon as possible. I pray to the Lord that Sonam ji remains healthy,” he said.

Wangchuk announced that he had ended his fast after extensive discussions with the government and consultations with leaders from the Apex Body of Leh-Ladakh.

“Just now, in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh and senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh-Ladakh, I finally broke my fast after 26 days. Earlier, 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had visited or signed letters urging me to end my fast. This was done after a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country,” Wangchuk said in a post on X.

He added that he would explain the conditions of the agreement in detail in a separate video and appealed to people to remain vigilant and ensure that no violence takes place anywhere in the country.

(With ANI inputs)

Last updated on: 24th July 2026

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