'Don't take legal action against CJP protesters': Wangchuk sets condition to end hunger strike

NEW DELHI: Activist Sonam Wangchuk has said that he will end his hunger strike over the NEET question paper leak only if the Centre assures that no legal or disciplinary action will be taken against those who participated in the CJP Parliament march. In a letter to Union ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, Wangchuk requested the central government to guarantee that no legal proceedings or punitive action would be initiated against the protesters.

Wangchuk thanked the two Union ministers for visiting him in the hospital and for informing him that his earlier demands would be considered. He said he hoped the government would respond positively to his requests.

In the letter, Wangchuk urged the Centre to provide adequate compensation to the families of students who died by suicide following the examination paper leak. He also demanded that the government accept responsibility for the incident, discuss the issue in Parliament, and consider the resignation of the Union Education Minister.

Referring to the Parliament march held on July 20, Wangchuk said the country and the world had witnessed the patience and commitment of the protesters despite the alleged police action. He expressed hope that no legal or retaliatory action would be taken against those who participated in the protest, saying such a move would weaken public trust in constitutional institutions.

Wangchuk said he wanted to end his hunger strike and return to his students and the work that had defined his life. However, he said he could not do so at the cost of the young people who had started the movement.

"After your visit, around 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties have written to me. Some have already visited me, while I expect others this evening. I want to return to my students and my work. But I cannot do that at the expense of the young people who began this movement," Wangchuk wrote.

He reiterated that no legal action should be taken against the protesters. "If I do not receive such an assurance, I will be forced to continue my hunger strike indefinitely. I hope more police personnel will not be used to suppress this movement," Wangchuk said.