Supriya Sule Urges Activist Sonam Wangchuk to End Hunger Strike Amid NEET Concerns
Supriya Sule, a prominent MP, visited activist Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar, where he has been on a hunger strike for 20 days. She urged him to end his fast, promising to address NEET-UG student concerns in the upcoming Parliament session. Wangchuk's protest demands the resignation of the Education Minister over examination irregularities. Other opposition leaders have also shown support, highlighting the importance of listening to peaceful protests in a democracy. As Wangchuk's health declines, the situation draws attention to the ongoing issues surrounding education in India.
Jul 17, 2026, 18:44 IST
Meeting at Jantar Mantar
On Friday, Supriya Sule, a Member of Parliament from the Nationalist Congress Party, met with activist Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar, where he has been on a hunger strike for the past 20 days. Sule urged Wangchuk to conclude his fast, assuring him that the concerns of NEET-UG students would be addressed during the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament starting July 20. After their meeting, Sule stated, 'We have come to request Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike. If there is a battle to be fought, we will collectively address it in Parliament. The session begins on Monday, and we will raise the issues concerning NEET students among others.'
Wangchuk's Protest
Wangchuk, an engineer, education reformer, and climate activist from Ladakh, is on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in response to irregularities in examinations and the NEET paper leak controversy. Sule's visit adds to the growing list of opposition leaders who have expressed concern for Wangchuk's health and urged him to end his strike. On the same day, Congress leader Pawan Khera also met with Wangchuk, advising him to halt his fast due to his deteriorating health.
Khera's Statement on Democratic Rights
Following their meeting, Khera posted on social media, emphasizing that peaceful protest is a constitutional right in a democracy. He stated that when citizens fast to voice their concerns, it is the government's duty to listen rather than ignore them, which is the essence of governance. He referenced past governments, noting how former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi in 1984 and Manmohan Singh in 2011 engaged with protesters despite differences.
Solidarity from Other Leaders
On Thursday, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav were among the opposition leaders who visited Wangchuk to show their support. As of July 17, Wangchuk's health indicators showed a weight of 56.55 kilograms, having lost 350 grams in 24 hours. His blood pressure was recorded at 108/68, blood sugar at 70 mg/dL, and pulse rate at 72 beats per minute.
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