A four-hour high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday paved the way for activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his 26-day hunger strike, after the Centre offered written assurances addressing several of his key demands.

According to sources, the meeting was attended by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh. The discussions focused on Wangchuk’s deteriorating health and the growing nationwide protests linked to the alleged NEET-UG paper leak.

The government is said to have decided to adopt a constructive approach toward Wangchuk’s demands while making his health an immediate priority.

After the meeting, it is reported that Jitendra Singh spoke with Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, and told her that the Centre is committed to dealing with the concerns voiced by the activist. he also asked him to end his fast, even as the situation remained touchy.

Later that evening, Nadda and Singh went to see Wangchuk at a hospital in Gurugram, where they gave him a written assurance from the government. The two ministers were also there when Wangchuk officially called off his hunger strike late Thursday night.

Centre Promises Anti-Paper Leak Legislation

Sources said the government assured Wangchuk that a new Bill aimed at strengthening measures against examination paper leaks would be introduced in Parliament next week under the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) framework. The proposed legislation is expected to receive Cabinet approval on July 24.

The Centre also informed Wangchuk that it would invite the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been leading the student protests, for talks at a neutral venue on Friday as part of its outreach efforts.

The move follows the CJP’s rejection of the government’s earlier proposal to hold discussions at J.P. Nadda’s residence or office, with the group insisting that talks take place either at Jantar Mantar or another mutually agreed neutral location.

Written Assurances on Reforms

After ending his fast, Wangchuk said the Centre had provided written assurances that Parliament would discuss accountability in the examination system, the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, and broader examination reforms.

He also said the government had assured that no cases would be filed against peaceful protesters, including those who participated in the July 20 “Chalo Parliament” march. According to Wangchuk, the Centre is also positively considering compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide in connection with the paper leak controversy.

Wangchuk Appeals for Peaceful Protests

Sources say Wangchuk plans to go back to Ladakh once he has recovered a bit more. Before he departs , though, he wants to meet students and supporters who are linked with the movement, and he will ask them to keep holding on to the governments assurances and continue with peaceful demonstrations .

He also gave a reassurance to the Centre that he would keep pushing for dialogue, while discouraging any efforts by anti social elements to derail the movement, he also urged protesters to remain patient, since talks with the government are still underway.