Wangchuk Rejects Government Deal Claims After NEET Protest Ends
Activist Questions Need to Prove Sincerity Following 26-Day Fast
Indiadailyupdate.com – Sonam Wangchuk has firmly dismissed allegations that he reached a deal with the government after concluding his 26-day hunger strike. The Ladakh activist, who had been advocating for students challenging alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, shared a video message late Friday evening to explain his decision to end the fast. His statement came amid growing speculation about whether he had compromised on his demands to secure government cooperation.
Wangchuk emphasized that he only decided to stop his protest after receiving written guarantees from officials. He expressed genuine concern that student demonstrators might face a severe crackdown if tensions continued to escalate. Speaking through social media platform X, the activist posed a poignant question: “After 26 days of hunger, do I still need to prove my sincerity?” This sentiment has resonated with supporters who have followed his journey closely.
Understanding the Context of the NEET Protest
In the 22-minute recording, Wangchuk provided detailed reasoning for why he chose not to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. His primary objective throughout the entire protest remained protecting the protesting students from potential violence and legal consequences. He made it clear that his focus was always on the welfare of the young people who had been affected by the examination controversy.
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.
Wangchuk recalled harrowing events from September 24, 2025, when police and CRPF personnel fired upon Ladakh youth during earlier demonstrations. He worried that similar violence could occur in the current situation if the protest continued without resolution. He believed that ending his fast and calling for calm might help ease tensions and prevent further escalation of the situation.
The hunger strike concluded on Friday when Union ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh visited Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital. The ministers committed to positively reviewing compensation for families of students who reportedly took their own lives amid the NEET paper leak controversy. They also promised to arrange a parliamentary discussion regarding accountability within the examination framework, addressing one of the key concerns raised by protesters.
They initially offered only a verbal assurance. I insisted on a written commitment and did not relent until they agreed.
Wangchuk reiterated that protecting students remained his central concern throughout the entire protest period. He clarified that securing the education minister’s resignation was never his personal goal, despite media reports suggesting otherwise. His decision to end the fast was based on practical considerations rather than political compromise.
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.
The activist’s statement has been widely shared across social media platforms, with many supporters expressing appreciation for his leadership during this challenging period. The written assurances received from government officials are expected to be published soon, providing transparency about the commitments made during the hospital meeting.
