'Do I still need to prove my sincerity?': Sonam Wangchuk rejects 'deal with government' claims
The activist says he called off his fast only after receiving written assurances from the government
Activist Sonam Wangchuk concluded his 26-day hunger strike after obtaining written assurances from the government regarding the NEET examination irregularities protest. He firmly denied making any deal, stating his priority was to protect students from violence and legal action, recalling a past crackdown on Ladakh youth. Wangchuk's decision was prompted by fears of an imminent crackdown in Delhi and the ministers' commitment to consider compensation for affected families and discuss examination accountability in Parliament. He emphasized his focus remained on student welfare, not on demanding the Education Minister's resignation, and insisted on written commitments before ending his fast.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk concluded his 26-day hunger strike after obtaining written assurances from the government regarding the NEET examination irregularities protest. He firmly denied making any deal, stating his priority was to protect students from violence and legal action, recalling a past crackdown on Ladakh youth. Wangchuk's decision was prompted by fears of an imminent crackdown in Delhi and the ministers' commitment to consider compensation for affected families and discuss examination accountability in Parliament. He emphasized his focus remained on student welfare, not on demanding the Education Minister's resignation, and insisted on written commitments before ending his fast.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk concluded his 26-day hunger strike after obtaining written assurances from the government regarding the NEET examination irregularities protest. He firmly denied making any deal, stating his priority was to protect students from violence and legal action, recalling a past crackdown on Ladakh youth. Wangchuk's decision was prompted by fears of an imminent crackdown in Delhi and the ministers' commitment to consider compensation for affected families and discuss examination accountability in Parliament. He emphasized his focus remained on student welfare, not on demanding the Education Minister's resignation, and insisted on written commitments before ending his fast.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who ended his 26-day hunger strike in support of students protesting alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, has firmly rejected allegations that he reached a deal with the government.
In a video message released on Friday night, Wangchuk said he called off his fast only after receiving written assurances from the government, citing fears of an imminent crackdown on student protesters.
"After 26 days of hunger, do I still need to prove my sincerity?" he wrote on X.
In the 22-minute video, Wangchuk clarified that he did not demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan because his foremost priority was to ensure that protesting students would not face violence or legal action.
"Late last night, around midnight, I was informed that the ministers had agreed to provide the assurance in writing. I was in a hurry because the situation in Delhi was tense, and there were apprehensions of a major crackdown. I was watching reports and was reminded of September 24, 2025, when police and CRPF personnel mercilessly fired at the youth of Ladakh. I feared something similar could happen here. I felt that if I ended my fast and appealed for peace, the situation could be defused," he said.
Wangchuk ended his hunger strike on Friday after Union ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him at Medanta Hospital and agreed to positively consider compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak controversy and to facilitate a discussion in Parliament on accountability in the examination system.
"They initially offered only a verbal assurance. I insisted on a written commitment and did not relent until they agreed," he said.
Reiterating that his priority was the welfare of students, Wangchuk said his focus was never on seeking Pradhan's resignation.
"My concern was that students should not suffer. My main focus was to prevent legal action and FIRs against them. I did not believe it was necessary for me personally to secure the minister's resignation," he said.