Climate activist and education reform advocate, Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday said he would end his indefinite hunger strike over the NEET paper leak only if the Centre assures that no punitive or retaliatory action will be taken against those who participated in the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) 'Chalo Sansad' march.
In a letter addressed to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Wangchuk thanked the two ministers for visiting him in hospital and appealing to him to call off his fast. He said the ministers had assured him that the government would positively consider his key demands.
"Thank you for visiting me at the hospital last night and for your earnest appeal that I end my fast. During our discussion, you assured me that the government would positively consider... adequate compensation for the families of students who committed suicide following the examination paper leak and a meaningful discussion in Parliament to ensure accountability, including consideration of the resignation of the Hon'ble Education Minister," Wangchuk wrote.
Referring to the July 20 march to Parliament, Wangchuk said the protest had remained peaceful despite what he described as excessive police action. "The Chalo Sansad march on 20 July 2026 remained very peaceful despite the atrocities and disproportionate use of force by the police. The entire nation and the world witnessed their patience and commitment to democratic protest. I sincerely hope that this faith in democratic institutions is not further undermined by legal cases, harassment or vindictive action against those who participated," he said.
Sonam Wangchuk added that several Members of Parliament across party lines had urged him to end his fast, reminding him that he still had important work to do. "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," he said.
He said he would end his fast only if the government publicly assured that protesters would not face legal repercussions. "Therefore, I respectfully request an unequivocal assurance from the Government that none of the young protesters will face any punitive or retaliatory legal action for participating in this movement. Their only 'offence' has been to raise their voice for a fair and accountable education system."
"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. In the absence of such an assurance, I will be forced to continue my fast indefinitely. I also hope that there will be no further use of excessive police force to repress the movement," said Sonam Wangchuk in his letter.
