New Delhi, July 22, 2026

Growing calls for accountability over the NEET paper leak have placed renewed focus on the ongoing student-led movement, with activist Sonam Wangchuk making the protection of young protesters a key condition for ending his hunger strike. As the debate over the examination controversy continues, Wangchuk has urged the government to ensure that those participating in the protests are not subjected to legal or retaliatory 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," he said in a letter to Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. Wangchuk said he would end his fast only after receiving such an assurance, otherwise he would be compelled to continue it indefinitely. The 59-year-old activist, who was removed by police from the Jantar Mantar protest site after three weeks of fasting, is currently on Day 25 of his hunger strike at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. He also thanked the two Union ministers for visiting him at the hospital.

During their visit, Wangchuk said the ministers assured him that the government would consider providing adequate compensation to the families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide after the paper leak and would discuss the issue in Parliament to ensure accountability. This, he noted, included consideration of the demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. He also described Monday's march to Parliament as "very peaceful" despite allegations of police excesses, adding that around 65 Members of Parliament had appealed to him to end his fast. However, he maintained that he could not do so without a guarantee that the young protesters would not face any legal consequences.

Expressing hope that the authorities would refrain from using force against the movement, Wangchuk said, "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 has been on hunger strike since June 28 over the NEET paper leak issue and was shifted from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta two days ago following allegations of negligence. His stand continues to centre on accountability, student welfare, and safeguarding the rights of peaceful protesters.