Sonam Wangchuk Refuses to End Hunger Strike, Seeks Government Assurance Against Action on NEET Protesters

Activist Sonam Wangchuk continues his hunger strike demanding government assurance that no legal action will be taken against NEET paper leak protesters. He seeks accountability, compensation for affected families, and discussion of the issue in Parliament while urging peaceful resolution.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has refused to end his hunger strike unless the government provides an unequivocal assurance that no legal action will be taken against young protesters demanding accountability over the NEET paper leak. Wangchuk warned that in the absence of such a commitment, he would continue his fast indefinitely.

In a letter addressed to Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, Wangchuk requested a clear assurance that none of the young protesters would face punitive or retaliatory legal action for participating in the movement. He said the protesters were only raising their voices for a fair, transparent, and accountable education system.

The 59-year-old activist was removed by police from the Jantar Mantar protest site on Saturday after completing three weeks of hunger strike as part of the satirical political movement Cockroach Janta Party's protest against Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. However, Wangchuk refused to end his fast and continued his protest.

He is currently observing Day 25 of his hunger strike at the private Medanta hospital in Gurugram.

In his letter, Wangchuk thanked Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh for visiting him at Medanta. During their meeting, the ministers 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 assured that the issue of the paper leak would be discussed in Parliament to ensure accountability, including consideration of the demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

Wangchuk further stated that Monday's march towards Parliament was "very peaceful" despite allegations of excessive police action. He said around 65 parliamentarians had urged him to end his hunger strike in recent hours, and he also wished to return to his educational work. However, he emphasized that he could not do so at the cost of the young people at the centre of the movement.

"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," Wangchuk said, while expressing hope that police would not use further force to suppress the movement.

Wangchuk began his hunger strike on June 28, demanding government accountability over examination paper leaks. Two days ago, he was shifted from Safdarjung to Medanta hospital following allegations of negligence.

The activist has previously led campaigns for Ladakh's statehood and was detained for nearly six months last year after a protest in Leh turned violent, resulting in four deaths.

The ongoing hunger strike has intensified the debate over examination integrity, accountability, and the treatment of young protesters seeking reforms in the education system. Wangchuk's demand for protection against legal action remains at the centre of the movement as he continues his protest for assurances from the government.