Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike; PM Modi pushes for Bill against paper leaks

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike early Friday after the Centre assured him of action on key demands related to the student protests, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government would bring a new Bill with stringent provisions against examination paper leaks in a late night video. The proposed legislation, which includes fast-track courts and tougher punishment for offenders, will be discussed by the Union Cabinet on Friday before being introduced in Parliament next week.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his indefinite hunger strike shortly after midnight at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram in the presence of Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. He said the decision followed prolonged negotiations with the government and was taken "in view of possible violence in the country." "Just now in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda & Dr Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of Apex Body of Leh Ladakh I finally broke my fast after 26 days. Earlier 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had visited or signed letters urging me to break the fast. This was done after a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country. Meanwhile I urge you all to stay very vigilant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere," Wangchuk posted on X. Following Wangchuk's announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished him a speedy recovery, saying, "I urge Sonam ji to follow his daily routine as advised by the doctors and regain his weight as soon as possible. I pray to the Almighty that Sonam ji remains healthy." Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke expressed relief that Wangchuk ended his hunger strike but stated that the protest will continue. "We are relieved and grateful that Sonam sir has ended his hunger strike after 26 days. Thank you, sir, for your extraordinary courage and sacrifice. By putting your own life on the line, you awakened the conscience of an entire nation. Your life is far too precious to this country. The Cockroach Janta Party’s peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns," he said on X.

In a late-night video message, Prime Minister Modi announced that the government would introduce a Bill with stringent provisions against paper leaks, including fast-track courts and harsher punishment for offenders. He said the proposal would be discussed by the Union Cabinet on Friday and the government would try to get it passed in Parliament next week. "The Cabinet will discuss the issue of paper leaks on Friday... On Monday, when the second week of the Monsoon Session of Parliament begins, a Bill will be brought with provisions for strong action against paper leaks and we will try to pass it as early as possible," PM Modi said. Calling paper leaks "very painful" for lakhs of students and their families, the Prime Minister said the government had acted swiftly after the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. "The guilty have been caught. They are now in jail. Our most significant responsibility was to ensure that the students do not lose a year... By using all resources, the government has ensured that 22 lakh students could attend the re-test," he said. PM Modi added that he had directed authorities to establish fast-track courts to ensure swift justice and said the proposed legislation would be another step towards making the examination system "foolproof" and protecting students' interests.