Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday said he would end his indefinite fast if the Centre assured that no punitive action would be taken against students protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak.
In a letter to Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Wangchuk thanked the ministers for visiting him in hospital and appealing to him to end his fast.
"Once the assurance from govt come I will also appeal to the peacefully protesting students to halt the movement for now and enter into dialogue with the government," Wangchuk wrote on X while sharing the letter.
In the letter, Wangchuk said the ministers had assured him that the government would positively consider compensation for the families of students who died by suicide following the alleged examination paper leak, hold a meaningful discussion in Parliament to ensure accountability, and consider the resignation of the Education Minister.
"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, a meaningful discussion in Parliament to ensure accountability, including consideration of the resignation of the Hon'ble Education Minister," the letter read.
Referring to the July 20 'Chalo Sansad' march, Wangchuk said it "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 any legal cases, harassment or vindictive action against those who participated," he said.
Around 65 MPs from different political parties had written to him, while several met him personally and urged him to end his fast, Wangchuk said.
"They have all urged me to end my fast, reminding me that I still have much work to do in the service of our nation. I agree with them. 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.
Wangchuk said he was seeking a clear assurance that students who took part in the protests would not face legal action.
"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," the letter read.
Wangchuk said he would end his fast if such an assurance was given.
"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 added that, in the absence of such an assurance, he would continue his fast indefinitely and expressed hope that there would be no further use of excessive police force against the protesters.
Earlier on Wednesday, a delegation of opposition MPs, including Congress' Vivek Tankha, CPI(M)'s John Brittas and TMC's Sagarika Ghose, met Wangchuk at the Medanta Hospital and appealed to him to end his fast.
In a letter signed by the MPs from several opposition parties, they assured him that the issues of examination reforms and accountability in the education sector would be taken up in Parliament.
"The nation, especially its youth, needs your wisdom and guidance far more than your sacrifice... Just as the Union Territory of Ladakh needs Sonam Wangchuk, India needs you too, not in suffering, but in service," the MPs told him, while also assuring that they would press the government against any coercive action against the peaceful protesters.
Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 after joining the Cockroach Janta Party-led agitation demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system and the resignation of Pradhan.
He is currently admitted to the Medanta Hospital after being shifted from the Safdarjung Hospital following a Delhi High Court order.
