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Prominent citizens urge Modi, Pradhan to address Wangchuk's hunger strike

By A Representative 
A group of academics, former diplomats, retired civil servants, writers, and activists has issued two public representations expressing concern over the indefinite hunger strike led by education and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, urging the Union government to engage in dialogue with protesting students and address concerns over alleged irregularities in national examinations.
In a letter addressed to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the signatories said that Wangchuk had been on an indefinite fast for around 20 days, demanding accountability over the alleged mismanagement of the NEET and other competitive examinations. The letter also stated that several students had joined the hunger strike and expressed concern about their deteriorating health.
The signatories appealed to the Education Minister to accept moral responsibility for the government's handling of the examination issues and resign from office, arguing that such a step would demonstrate accountability and help save the lives of Wangchuk and the fasting students.
Among those who signed the first representation are historian Romila Thapar, economist Prabhat Patnaik, economist Utsa Patnaik, political scientist Zoya Hasan, economist Jayati Ghosh, economist C.P. Chandrasekhar, political scientist Neera Chandhoke, former Ambassador Deb Mukharji, writer and activist Harsh Mander, activist John Dayal, and economist Sunanda Sen.
In a separate representation addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, another group of prominent citizens called on the government to initiate dialogue with Wangchuk and the protesting students. The letter alleged that Wangchuk and several students had been conducting a peaceful, non-violent protest for nearly a month over examination paper leaks and demands for greater accountability.
The representation claimed that Wangchuk was shifted to a hospital by authorities on 18 July after completing 20 days of fasting and alleged that he was moved against his wishes. It also expressed concern over the condition of students participating in the fast, including Neha Bora, Aameen, and Manish Kumar, stating that their health was at risk.
The signatories urged the Prime Minister to engage with the protesters, arguing that dialogue was the appropriate democratic response to peaceful public demonstrations.
The second representation was signed by Prabhat Patnaik, Deb Mukharji, Zoya Hasan, Madhu Bhaduri, Harsh Mander, Neera Chandhoke, Rajeev Bhargava, John Dayal, Meena Gupta, former Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, former diplomats Gautam Mukhopadhyaya, K.P. Fabian, Krishnan Raghunath, Suresh Goel, Anup Mukerji, Ashok Sharma, Ashok Kumar Sharma, Surendra Nath, Deepak Sanan, Prakriti Srivastava, Gopalan Balagopal, writer Githa Hariharan, journalist Prabir Purkayastha, and F. Colaso.
The letters reflect growing concern among sections of civil society over the handling of examination-related controversies and call for accountability, dialogue, and protection of the health and safety of the protesters.

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