Anna Hazare on Saturday urged the Centre to initiate talks with educationist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, saying the government should not push the standoff to a point where the consequences become irreversible.

Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, where he has been protesting over alleged irregularities and a paper leak controversy linked to the NEET examination.

Hazare said the issue should be resolved through discussion rather than force, as the activist’s health worsened and he was shifted to a government hospital after 21 days on a fast.

Also Read | Delhi HC on Sonam Wangchuk: Hospital shift ‘not arbitrary’ as health deteriorated

A gentle counsel before the hour grows late

“The government should not wait for a tragic outcome, and there is no harm in holding discussions,” Hazare said in a video message.

He pointed and said, “The government should not test his limits. Say yes or no (to his demands), but what is wrong in holding discussions?”

The remarks came as Wangchuk was moved from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital after his health deteriorated on the 21st day of the protest.

Hazare also said Wangchuk was taken away and admitted to hospital during the fast and cautioned that forceful action would only make the issue more complicated.

Matters gather an unmistakable gravity

Wangchuk’s protest has drawn wider attention because of both its duration and the political context around it.

He has been demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak row and related allegations of irregularities.

The move to hospital came just ahead of a planned march to Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session. Witnesses told that police personnel moved into the protest site and shifted Wangchuk after covering the area with a white sheet, preventing the operation from being recorded on camera.

Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, condemned the police action and accused the Centre of suppressing dissent.

Will the Centre heed Anna Hazare’s call?

Mr Hazare’s intervention is particularly significant due to his own history of high-profile agitation. Anna’s 2011 hunger strike in Delhi demanding the Lokpal Act rocked the then UPA government.

His comments now place fresh pressure on the Centre while Wangchuk remains under medical care. The protest around Wangchuk’s demands continues to draw political support and criticism alike.

Also Read | Ken-Betwa protest ends as police shift fasting activist to hospital

FAQs

Q1: Why did Anna Hazare appeal to the Centre over Sonam Wangchuk?

Anna Hazare urged the Centre to hold talks with Sonam Wangchuk, saying the government should resolve the issue through dialogue rather than delay.

Q2: Why is Sonam Wangchuk on an indefinite hunger strike?

Sonam Wangchuk has been protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak and has demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.