How Amit Shah's 4-hour meeting got Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike
A marathon four-hour meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday proved to be the turning point in ending activist Sonam Wangchuk's 26-day
A marathon four-hour meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday proved to be the turning point in ending activist Sonam Wangchuk's 26-day hunger strike, with the Centre deciding to positively engage with his demands and prioritise his health amid escalating student protests. Sources told India Today that Amit Shah held a 4-hour-long high-level meeting with Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh as concerns grew over Wangchuk's deteriorating health and the intensifying nationwide agitation over the NEET-UG paper leak. Read Full Story During the discussions, the government decided to adopt a positive approach towards Wangchuk's demands while making his health and well-being its immediate priority. Following the meeting, Jitendra Singh spoke to Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, assuring her that the government was committed to addressing the concerns raised by the activist and urging him to end his fast.
Later in the day, JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh visited Wangchuk at Hospital in Gurugram, where they personally handed over a written assurance from the government to the fasting activist. The two Union ministers were also present when Wangchuk broke his fast late on Thursday night. According to sources, the ministers assured Wangchuk that a new Bill under the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) framework, aimed at strengthening measures against examination paper leaks, would be introduced in Parliament next week. The proposal is expected to receive Cabinet approval on July 24. The Union ministers also informed Wangchuk that the Centre would invite the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) delegation, which has been spearheading the student agitation, for talks at a neutral venue on Friday as part of its outreach efforts, sources said.
The move came after the CJP leadership rejected the government's proposal to hold discussions at JP Nadda's residence or office, insisting that any dialogue take place either at Jantar Mantar or at a mutually acceptable neutral venue. Moments after ending his fast, Wangchuk said he had received written assurances from the Centre that Parliament would discuss accountability in the examination system, the NEET-UG paper leak and broader examination reforms. He also said the government had assured that no cases would be filed against peaceful protesters, including participants of the July 20 'Chalo Parliament' march, and was "positively considering" compensation for the families of students who died by suicide following the alleged paper leak controversy. Sources said Wangchuk expressed his desire to return to Ladakh after recovering.
The BriefWire