NEW DELHI: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Monday said he would continue his hunger strike after witnessing what he described as the harsh treatment of peaceful protesters attempting to march to Parliament.
In a handwritten statement, Wangchuk said he would continue his fast until student leaders are allowed to meet Members of Parliament inside the Parliament complex or he is permitted to meet them at Safdarjung Hospital.
“Seeing the brutality with which peacefully protesting youth are being dealt with, I have decided to continue my fast until the youth leaders are allowed to meet the parliamentarians at Sansad Bhawan or I am allowed to meet them here at the hospital,” Wangchuk said.
He added, “Hopefully, the government will fix accountability of the Education Minister before that.”
Wangchuk also appealed to the government and Delhi Police to allow the protesting students to present their grievances before Parliament.
“I am touched and moved by how the youth have maintained peace despite provocation. I appeal to the government and the police to resolve the issue by simply allowing the students to present their grievances before Parliament today or tomorrow,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the demonstrators, Wangchuk added, “I am sure the young protesters will show the same patience and tolerance tomorrow as they did today.”
His remarks came hours after a delegation from the protesting group met Union Minister J.P. Nadda and submitted a memorandum seeking accountability from the government over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak.
According to the group’s spokesperson, Ashutosh Ranka, the meeting with Nadda was underway, with the Union minister seeking time to consult the government leadership on the demands raised by the delegation.
Among the key demands are the release of Wangchuk, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide.
Earlier in the day, thousands of protesters attempted to march towards Parliament, demanding Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.
Police used tear gas and mild force after some demonstrators allegedly tried to breach barricades near the Parliament complex. Several protesters were detained during the protest.
Security was tightened across central Delhi, with Rapid Action Force personnel deployed at key locations. As a precautionary measure, several gates at nearby Metro stations were temporarily closed, disrupting commuter movement.
According to PTI, at least seven protesters, including Abhijeet Dipke, were detained near the Reserve Bank of India building during the “Sansad Chalo” march.
