Sonam Wangchuk, an environmental activist and educator, ended a 27-day hunger strike late Friday at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram after assurances from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Central ministers Jagat Prakash Nadda and Jitendra Singh were present when Wangchuk broke his fast on his hospital bed, and his wife Geetanjali Jain Angmo was also at his side.

Modi had issued a video statement at 11:53pm promising tougher legal action over exam paper leaks, calling the issue a matter of deep distress for millions of students and parents. He said the government has taken steps including arrests over the past two and a half months and has held re-examinations involving about 2.2 million candidates; he proposed fast-track courts and will seek to pass related legislation in the ongoing parliamentary session.

After Wangchuk ended his hunger strike, those present draped him in a shawl and offered congratulations, and Modi later sent him well-wishes on social media urging a speedy recovery following medical advice.