India
oi-Swastika Sruti
In the latest development, activist Sonam Wangchuk has made a fresh appeal to the Central government. In his appeal he states that he is ready to end his hunger strike if it provides a clear assurance that no action will be taken against students who participated in the protest on July 20.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk is willing to end his hunger strike if the Central government provides assurance that students protesting on July 20 will face no punitive action, after which he will urge them to pause their movement for dialogue.
In his open letter to Union Minister JP Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh, Wangchuk thanked the ministers for meeting him at the hospital and said he was encouraged by their willingness to discuss the students’ demands.
He also promised that once the government gives the required assurance, he will ask the peacefully protesting students to pause their movement and begin dialogue with the Centre.
‘I Will Appeal To Students To Halt The Movement’
Sharing his letter on social media, Wangchuk wrote:
“An appeal to the Government regarding breaking my fast… Once the assurance from the Government comes, I will also appeal to the peacefully protesting students to halt the movement for now and enter into dialogue with the Government.”
His statement signals a possible breakthrough in the month-long protest over alleged examination irregularities, with Wangchuk indicating that he is willing to end the agitation if confidence-building measures are taken by the government.
AN APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT
regarding breaking my 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 pic.twitter.com/gR6S8woF5R— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) July 22, 2026
Thanks Ministers For Hospital Visit
In his letter dated July 22, Wangchuk thanked Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh for visiting him in the hospital and requesting him to end his fast.
He said the ministers assured him that the government would positively consider two key demands raised during their meeting.
According to Wangchuk, these include providing adequate compensation to the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the examination paper leak controversy and holding a meaningful discussion in Parliament on accountability, including consideration of the resignation of the Union Education Minister.
Seeks Protection For Student Protesters
One of the strongest appeals in Wangchuk’s letter concerns the students who participated in the protests.
He requested the government to give an unequivocal assurance that no punitive or retaliatory legal action would be taken against the young protesters.
According to him, the students’ only “offence” was raising their voices for a fair, transparent and accountable education system.
‘I Want To Live, But Not At The Cost Of Students’
Wangchuk also revealed that about 65 Members of the Parliament from different political parties had written to him or even met him personally urging him to end his hunger strike.
He acknowledged their concern and said, “I want to live. I want to return to my students and to the work that has defined my life,” he wrote.
However, he added that he could not do so if it meant abandoning the young people whose struggle had inspired the movement.
Praises Peaceful ‘Chalo Sansad’ March
Wangchuk also referred to the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march held on July 20, saying the protest remained peaceful despite what he described as excessive police action.
At the same time, he expressed hope that participants would not face legal cases, harassment or any form of retaliatory action for taking part in the movement.
He reiterated that if the government gives the requested assurance, he will immediately appeal to students to suspend the protest for now and engage in constructive dialogue.
