The climate activist says he will end his 25-day hunger strike only iof the government guarantees no legal or punitive action against NEET protest participants
New Delhi: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk said he is prepared to end his 25-day hunger strike if the Centre guarantees that students and young people who participated in the NEET-UG paper leak protests will face no legal or punitive action.
In a letter to Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, Wangchuk thanked them for visiting him in hospital and said they had assured him that the government would consider key demands, including compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide after the paper leak controversy and a discussion in Parliament.
“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,” Wangchuk wrote.
Wangchuk further said he would immediately end his fast if such an assurance was provided. “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 added.
Wangchuk also urged the government to avoid further use of force against protesters, saying the treatment of young citizens would reflect the strength of India’s democracy. He is currently undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital while continuing his hunger strike.
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