Activist Sonam Wangchuk has stated he will call off his hunger strike if the Centre guarantees protection for protesting students, as leaders from across the political spectrum urge him to prioritize his health.

NEW DELHI: Environmentalist and activist Sonam Wangchuk announced on Wednesday that he is prepared to end his indefinite fast, provided the Central government issues an unequivocal assurance that no punitive or retaliatory legal action will be taken against students participating in the ongoing NEET paper leak protests.

Wangchuk, who is currently receiving treatment at Medanta Hospital after being transferred from Safdarjung Hospital by order of the Delhi High Court, shared his stance in a letter addressed to Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Union Minister Jitendra Singh.

Key Demands on the Table

In his correspondence, Wangchuk acknowledged a visit from the Union ministers and noted the government’s positive reception of several key demands stemming from the youth-led agitation:

• Compensation: Adequate financial support for the families of students who died by suicide following the alleged examination paper leak.
• Parliamentary Accountability: A dedicated, meaningful discussion in Parliament regarding systemic examination reforms, alongside a review concerning the resignation of the Education Minister.
• Student Protection: A formal guarantee halting any legal cases, harassment, or vindictive action against individuals who took part in the July 20 ‘Chalo Sansad’ march.

“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,” Wangchuk wrote on X.

Broad Political Appeal

Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike since June 28, initially joining the agitation in New Delhi to protest irregularities in competitive exams and advocate for comprehensive educational reform.

As his fast entered a critical phase, approximately 65 Members of Parliament from diverse political backgrounds reached out to him. A delegation comprising opposition leaders—including Congress’ Vivek Tankha, CPI(M)’s John Brittas, and TMC’s Sagarika Ghose—visited him in the hospital. In a signed joint appeal, the MPs emphasized that the nation’s youth require his continued guidance rather than his sacrifice, assuring him that educational accountability would remain a central focus in Parliament.

While expressing deep appreciation for the outpouring of support, Wangchuk maintains that his fast will continue indefinitely until formal safety assurances for the young protesters are secured from the government.