What happened
At least 21 protesters continued a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar over the NEET paper leak issue even after Sonam Wangchuk was hospitalised. The protesters said the hospitalisation strengthened their resolve and that they would continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.
Doctors advised the protesters to rest, conserve energy, and speak less, but the protesters continued to address the media. A volunteer doctor warned that three All India Students’ Association (AISA)-linked activists were in critical condition and had developed symptoms that could lead to serious medical complications.
Background and earlier position
The protest had already been running for an extended period before the latest update. Three AISA-linked students had been fasting for 21 days, while other protesters had been on strike for more than two weeks.
Volunteers were distributing basic supplies and a medical counter was monitoring participants. The protest therefore combined a political demand for accountability with a deteriorating health situation among fasting activists.
Related current affairs
- ‘Wangchuk not alone’: at least 21 refuse to end fast
- Sonam Wangchuk to be discharged from hospital today; will visit Rajghat
- PM reaches out to students; Sonam Wangchuk ends fast
- Hunger strike at Jantar Mantar medical bulletin: Wangchuk refuses medical help
- Will continue our vigil here: next to Sonam stage, 3 PhD students remain on protest fast
- Hunger strike was challenge to govt., the movement is still on, says AISA secretary