Sonam Wangchuk Conditions Ending Fast on Assurance of No Action Against Student Protesters

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has stated that he will end his hunger strike only if the government provides an unequivocal assurance that no legal action will be taken against young protesters demanding accountability for the NEET paper leak. In a letter to Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, Wangchuk emphasised that without such an assurance, he would be compelled to continue his fast indefinitely.

The 59-year-old activist, known for his work in education and environmental activism in Ladakh, was removed by police from the Jantar Mantar protest site on Saturday after three weeks of hunger strike. The protest was part of a satirical political movement, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy. Wangchuk refused to end his fast even after removal and is currently on Day 25 of his hunger strike at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.

In his letter, Wangchuk thanked Ministers Nadda and Singh for visiting him at the hospital on Monday night. During the visit, the ministers reportedly assured him that the government would consider providing adequate compensation to the families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide following the paper leak. They also discussed raising the issue in Parliament to ensure accountability, including consideration of the demand for Pradhan's resignation.

Wangchuk's protest has drawn attention to the wider concerns about the integrity of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the need for a fair education system. The paper leak incident earlier this year led to widespread protests and calls for a thorough investigation.

The government has yet to issue a formal response to Wangchuk's specific demand for an assurance against legal action. The activist's health remains a concern, with medical staff monitoring his condition closely.