What happened
Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his hunger strike late on Thursday night after receiving government assurances on the controversy surrounding alleged NEET irregularities. Wangchuk had been seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the issue.
The assurances reportedly included written commitments that cases against students would be withdrawn if the students were not violent, and that the government would consider compensation for families of suicide victims.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted late at night on social media that the Cabinet would discuss the paper-leak issue on Friday and that stricter action would follow.
Background and earlier position
The controversy concerns alleged irregularities in NEET, the national medical entrance examination. The protest highlights two linked issues: integrity of competitive examinations and the response of the Union government to student distress.
Related current affairs
- Centre reaches out to Wangchuk; activist seeks protection for protesting students
- Ministers meet Wangchuk as govt. steps up outreach
- 21 protesters continue hunger strike
- ‘Wangchuk to end fast if focus of Parliament is on education’
- No debate while Pradhan stays in office: Opposition
- Sonam Wangchuk to be discharged from hospital today; will visit Rajghat