Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday outlined the conditions under which he is prepared to end his indefinite hunger strike, stating that he would do so only if the Centre guarantees that no student participating in the ongoing protest faces legal or retaliatory action.
The development comes a day after Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh visited Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he is undergoing treatment after being shifted from Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital.
In a letter addressed to the government, Wangchuk thanked the ministers for meeting him and requesting that he end his fast. However, he said the movement had reached a stage where assurances, rather than appeals, were needed.
According to Wangchuk, the ministers conveyed that the government was willing to positively examine two major issues raised by the protesters. These include financial assistance for families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the examination controversy and a detailed discussion in Parliament on accountability, including consideration of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Despite welcoming those assurances, Wangchuk said his immediate concern remained the safety of young protesters who had joined the movement.
“I want to live. I want to return to my students, to education, and to the work that has defined my life. But I cannot do so at the cost of the very young people for whom this movement began,” he wrote.
The activist said nearly 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had appealed to him to end his fast and resume his work. He added that he was prepared to do so only after receiving an unequivocal commitment that participants in the agitation would not face punitive action.
“I respectfully request an unequivocal assurance from the government that none of the young protesters will face any punitive or retaliatory legal action for participating in this movement,” Wangchuk stated.
He further made it clear that such a commitment would immediately pave the way for him to end the fast.
“If such an assurance is given, I shall end my fast with faith that the government has heard not only my appeal but also the aspirations of lakhs of young Indians. In the absence of such an assurance, I will be forced to continue my fast indefinitely,” he added.
Referring to the July 20 “Chalo Sansad” protest, Wangchuk described the agitation as peaceful despite what he termed excessive police action against demonstrators.
“The entire nation and the world witnessed their patience and commitment to democratic protest,” he wrote while referring to the conduct of the protesters.
The protest movement, led by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, has centred on allegations surrounding the NEET-UG paper leak. Protesters have demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, reforms to the examination system and compensation for families affected by the controversy.
Wangchuk joined the agitation in late June and began an indefinite hunger strike, which has now become one of the movement’s central points. He was shifted from the protest site to hospital after his health deteriorated during the prolonged fast.
Q1. What conditions has Sonam Wangchuk set to end his hunger strike?
He has asked the government to guarantee that no student protester will face legal or retaliatory action for participating in the movement.
Q2. Which Union ministers met Sonam Wangchuk?
Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh met Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.
Q3. What assurances did Wangchuk say the government offered?
According to Wangchuk, the ministers indicated the government would consider compensation for affected families and discuss accountability, including consideration of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Q4. Why is Sonam Wangchuk on a hunger strike?
He joined the protest over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, seeking accountability, examination reforms and action on the protesters’ demands.
