Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday said he is prepared to end his hunger strike if the Centre gives an assurance that no punitive or retaliatory action will be taken against young protesters who joined the recent movement over the NEET paper leak and related demands.

In a video message and letters addressed to Union ministers, Wangchuk said he would break his fast “today itself” if the government agreed to his condition.

The activist, who has been fasting for 25 days, said he was speaking from Medanta Hospital in Gurugram after being moved there from Safdarjung Hospital.

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A courteous bargain before the fast ends

According to the reports, Wangchuk asked for an “unequivocal assurance” that none of the young protesters would face legal action for participating in the movement.

He thanked Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh for visiting him at the hospital and said he would ask students and protesters to halt their agitation once the assurance was given.

The activist also said the government had indicated it would positively consider two key demands: compensation for families of students who died by suicide after examination paper leaks, and a parliamentary discussion on accountability, including consideration of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

A plea wrapped in resolve

Wangchuk said the protesters had only raised their voices for a fair and accountable education system. Referring to the July 20 Chalo Sansad march, he described it as peaceful and said participants faced lathi-charge and what he called disproportionate use of force by police.

He said the students had remained disciplined despite repeated provocation and attempts to incite stone-pelting.

In his message, he warned that if the assurance was not forthcoming, he would continue the fast indefinitely and said he hoped there would be no further use of excessive police force against protesters.

The legal curtain rises

The developments come as the protest around the paper leak row continues to draw attention in Delhi. The Delhi High Court sought responses from the Centre and the Delhi Police over the use of force against protesters and listed the matter for further hearing on September 11.

The court is hearing petitions that seek an SIT probe into alleged excessive force during the march, even as the police have maintained that the demonstration did not remain peaceful and that videos show police personnel being injured.

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FAQs

Q1: Why did Sonam Wangchuk say he would end his hunger strike?

Sonam Wangchuk said he would end his hunger strike if the government assures that no punitive action will be taken against student protesters.

Q2: What assurance is Sonam Wangchuk seeking from the government?

He is seeking a clear assurance that participants in the recent protests will not face legal or disciplinary action.