New Delhi, July 23: Environmentalist and education reform campaigner Sonam Wangchuk on Friday ended his 26-day hunger strike after receiving assurances from the Central Government and Members of Parliament across political parties that the issue of accountability in India's examination system would be taken up in Parliament.
Announcing the end of his fast, Wangchuk declared, "End of Hunger... Beginning of Accountability," emphasizing that the movement for transparent and accountable public examinations would continue through democratic means.
According to Wangchuk, the government assured him that the concerns over repeated failures in the country's examination system, highlighted by the recent NEET paper leak controversy, would be discussed on the floor of Parliament. Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum also conveyed their support for raising the issue during the parliamentary session.
The government further assured that the families of students who allegedly died by suicide in the aftermath of the recent NEET examination paper leak would receive adequate compensation. It also promised that no criminal cases would be registered against students and youths who participated in peaceful protests demanding accountability and reforms in the examination process.
Wangchuk had launched the indefinite fast to press for reforms in the examination system, accountability for paper leaks, justice for affected students, and protection of the democratic right to peaceful protest. His fast became a rallying point for students, youth groups and civil society organisations, with demonstrations continuing at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and in several parts of the country.
Ending the fast, Wangchuk said the assurances marked the beginning of a new phase of the movement, shifting the focus from protest to ensuring that the commitments made by the government and lawmakers are translated into concrete action.
He urged students and supporters to remain peaceful and vigilant, stressing that the struggle for a fair, transparent and accountable examination system would continue until meaningful reforms are implemented.
Wangchuk also announced that the full statement regarding his decision to end the fast has been shared through his official YouTube channel, adding that his videos carry no copyright restrictions and may be freely shared.
CJP Welcomes End of Sonam Wangchuk's Fast, Says Students' Protest Will Continue Until Education Minister Resigns
New Delhi, July 24: Reacting to Sonam Wangchuk's decision to end his 26-day hunger strike, Kokro Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Debke welcomed the development, saying it was a matter of relief that the noted education reform campaigner had decided to end his fast.
Debke said Wangchuk's life was "more precious than anything else" for the nation and for the future of India's education system.
"It is happy news that Sonam ji has ended his fast because his life is more precious than anything else for the country and for the country's education system. This is a welcome development," he said.
However, Debke asserted that the students' agitation was far from over. He said students would continue their sit-in protest until their key demands were met, particularly the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged failures in handling examination irregularities.
"The students are still on dharna and will continue to do so as long as Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan does not resign. This protest will continue until the demands of the CJP and the students are fulfilled," Debke said.
The statement comes shortly after Sonam Wangchuk ended his fast following assurances from the Central Government and Members of Parliament across party lines that the issue of accountability in the country's examination system would be discussed in Parliament. The government also assured compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide in the wake of the NEET paper leak controversy and stated that no cases would be registered against students and youth who participated in peaceful protests.
Despite Wangchuk ending his fast, student organisations and supporters indicated that their movement for accountability and reforms in the examination system would continue until they see concrete action on their demands, including fixing responsibility for examination failures and ensuring systemic reforms.
