New Delhi, 24 July (H.S.): Environmentalist and social activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day-long indefinite hunger strike early Friday after receiving written assurances from the government and 65 Members of Parliament from various political parties. He said he decided to call off the protest after the government assured a detailed discussion in Parliament on the NEET question paper leak, accountability in the examination system, and education reforms.

The government also assured that appropriate compensation would be considered for the families of students who died by suicide allegedly linked to the recent NEET paper leak case. It further assured that no cases would be registered against students and young people who participated in peaceful protests at Jantar Mantar and the Parliament march held on July 20.

However, no written assurance was given regarding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. On this issue, Wangchuk said that if the government does not take a decision, the consequences would affect the government itself and not the students.

Wangchuk had begun his indefinite hunger strike on June 28 in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)’s protest at Jantar Mantar over the NEET question paper leak issue. During the protest, his health deteriorated, following which he was first admitted to Safdarjung Hospital. Later, on the directions of the Delhi High Court, he was shifted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.

In a video message released late Thursday night, Wangchuk said that Union Minister J.P. Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh met him in the early hours of Friday. In the video, the two leaders first read out the government’s written assurance and later offered him fluids, marking the end of his hunger strike.

The assurance letter stated, “The government is positive about ensuring that no criminal cases are registered against protesters who peacefully demonstrated at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and those who participated in the Parliament march on July 20. The government has already assured that a detailed discussion will be held in Parliament to address the issue of question paper leaks and improve the examination system. The government will also positively consider providing suitable compensation to the families of students who died by suicide in connection with the recent NEET paper leak case.”

Wangchuk said that discussions with the government had been continuing for the past two days. He made it clear that he would not end his hunger strike based only on verbal assurances and required a written commitment. This was the reason he continued the protest for two additional days. Finally, after receiving the written assurance, he decided to end the fast.

In his video message, Wangchuk said that 65 MPs from different political parties either personally met him or sent signed letters requesting him to end the hunger strike. The lawmakers assured him that Parliament would hold a detailed discussion on failures in the examination system, paper leaks, and fixing accountability to prevent such incidents in the future.

He said his objective was not limited only to the NEET issue but was aimed at ensuring accountability across the entire examination system.

On the demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, Wangchuk said the government could not provide any assurance on the matter. He said he had two options — either continue his indefinite hunger strike until his health was severely affected, or accept the written assurances on issues directly connected with the future of students.

He said that if the Education Minister does not resign, the political damage would be faced by the government and not the students. If the government had taken a decision at the right time, it could have avoided political consequences. He added that the matter would eventually be decided over time.

Wangchuk said his biggest concern was ensuring that no legal cases were filed against students and young people involved in the movement. Referring to his experience in Ladakh, he said he had seen how years-long FIRs could affect the future of young people. Therefore, the written assurance protecting students from legal action was one of the biggest achievements of the protest.

He also described the assurances regarding compensation for families of students who died by suicide and a parliamentary discussion on accountability as significant steps.

Wangchuk said Parliament is the highest platform of democracy, and a serious discussion on the examination system, education reforms, and accountability would be a major step in the interest of students across the country. He thanked MPs from all political parties, his supporters, and everyone associated with the movement.

While ending his hunger strike, Wangchuk said that after 26 days, consuming fluids felt extremely satisfying, but his “hunger has not ended.” He said this hunger was for accountability and reforms in the education system, and the struggle would continue.

He appealed to students to keep their movement completely peaceful and not allow any violence or anti-social elements to become part of the protest.

After ending his fast, Wangchuk posted on the social media platform X, writing, “The end of hunger… the beginning of accountability.” He said he ended the protest after receiving assurances from the government and MPs of various political parties.

He stated that Parliament would discuss failures in the examination system and accountability, families of students who died by suicide linked to the NEET paper leak would receive adequate compensation, and no cases would be filed against students and young people who participated in peaceful protests.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that the government may hold talks with CJP leaders protesting at Jantar Mantar at the Constitution Club. However, no official confirmation has been issued by the central government or the Bharatiya Janata Party so far. The CJP leadership has already made it clear that its protest will continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.

It is worth mentioning that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a video address to the nation late Thursday night, expressed concern over incidents of question paper leaks. He said that the government had taken several steps in the past two-and-a-half months to prevent paper leaks, arrested those responsible, and sent them to jail. He added that protecting students’ academic years remained the government’s top priority.

The Prime Minister also announced that a draft proposal related to preventing paper leaks and making the examination system more transparent would be presented before the Union Cabinet on Friday. Hours after the Prime Minister’s address, Sonam Wangchuk announced the end of his 26-day hunger strike based on the written assurance received from the government.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar