New Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk has offered to end his 25-day indefinite hunger strike over the NEET paper leak controversy, but only if the Centre publicly assures that no legal or punitive action will be taken against students and young protesters who participated in the nationwide movement demanding accountability.

In a letter addressed to Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, Wangchuk said he could not walk away from the movement while students who peacefully raised their voices for a fair and transparent examination system remained vulnerable to legal action.

“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 the movement,” Wangchuk wrote.

‘Students Only Sought Accountability’

The 59-year-old activist said the protesters had exercised their democratic rights by demanding accountability for repeated examination paper leaks and calling for reforms in India’s education system.

Expressing his desire to return to his educational work, Wangchuk said he would end his fast only after receiving a clear assurance from the government that students would not be targeted for participating in peaceful demonstrations.

“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,” he said.

Ministers Visit Wangchuk in Hospital

Wangchuk is currently undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, after being shifted from Safdarjung Hospital, where he had earlier alleged inadequate medical care.

He thanked Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh for visiting him at the hospital on Monday night. According to Wangchuk, the ministers assured him that the government would consider compensation for families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide following the paper leak controversy.

He also claimed they indicated that the issue, including demands for accountability and calls for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, could be discussed in Parliament.

Fast Continues Despite Detention

Wangchuk was detained by Delhi Police from the Jantar Mantar protest site on Saturday after completing three weeks of fasting during demonstrations organised by the satirical Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). Although shifted to hospital, he refused to end his fast and has now entered its 25th day.

The activist revealed that nearly 65 Members of Parliament had appealed to him to call off the hunger strike. However, he reiterated that he would do so only after the Centre guarantees that students who joined the recent March to Parliament would face no retaliatory action.

Describing the march as peaceful, Wangchuk also alleged excessive use of force by police during the protest.

NEET Row at the Centre of Protest

Wangchuk has been on an indefinite fast since June 28, demanding accountability over the NEET paper leak and systemic reforms to safeguard the integrity of competitive examinations. His latest appeal places the focus not only on examination reforms but also on protecting students who participated in peaceful protests, turning the spotlight on the government’s response to one of the country’s most contentious education controversies.