Centre promises action on exam paper leaks as Sonam Wangchuk ends 26-day fast

New Delhi: The Centre on Friday assured constructive dialogue and positive intervention on the issue of examination paper leaks, reaffirming its commitment to protecting students' interests and taking strict action against those responsible for compromising the integrity of competitive exams.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh said he, along with Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, met activist Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram and held detailed discussions on students' concerns.

"Along with Union Minister for Health J.P. Nadda Ji, met Shri Sonam Wangchuk Ji at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, and held a detailed discussion on students' concerns. Assured a constructive dialogue and positive intervention from the Government, following which Sonam Ji decided to end his fast," Singh said in a post on X.

He added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government remains committed to ensuring justice for students and taking strict action against anyone who jeopardises their future.

Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike after receiving assurances from the Centre and Members of Parliament from across political parties that the issue of accountability in the country's examination system would be discussed in Parliament.

According to a government statement, the Centre responded positively to several demands raised by the protesters. It said the government would not register cases against those who participated peacefully in the protest at Jantar Mantar or in the July 20 march to Parliament. It also reiterated its commitment to holding a comprehensive parliamentary discussion on paper leaks and broader examination reforms.

The government further said it is positively considering suitable compensation for the families of students who died by suicide following the recent NEET paper leak controversy.

Announcing the decision on X, Wangchuk's team wrote, "End of hunger... Beginning of accountability," stating that the fast had been called off after the government assured action on the key issues raised during the protest.

In a video message, Wangchuk said around 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had visited him and urged him to end his fast, assuring him that the paper leak issue would be taken up in Parliament. He said the same assurance was later conveyed by Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh.

Wangchuk added that after waiting several days for a written commitment, he had finally received the government's written assurance, prompting him to end his hunger strike.

With inputs from IANS