NEW DELHI: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday appealed to supporters to maintain peace during the ongoing protests over the alleged NEET paper leak, saying some “antisocial elements” were trying to provoke violence and urging demonstrators to respond only with non-violence.In a post on X marking the 26th day of his hunger strike, Wangchuk said he was distressed to learn that attempts were being made to derail the peaceful nature of the protests outside Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.“DAY 26. PEACE & ONLY PEACE IS MY WAY… While at Jantar Mantar the protests remain peaceful I’m pained to learn that elsewhere some antisocial elements are taking advantage of the peaceful protests to provoke violence,” Wangchuk wrote.“No matter what the other side does our response must only be flowers. Please keep this tradition at all costs,” he added.
Continues fast from hospital
Wangchuk’s latest appeal came a day after he was shifted from Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he continues his indefinite hunger strike.According to a statement issued by Medanta Hospital, Wangchuk remains “stable and alert”, with his vital signs within accepted parameters. The hospital said he is being treated by a multidisciplinary team of doctors and that all medical care is being provided with his informed consent.Earlier on Wednesday, Wangchuk had said he had lost 11 kilograms during his 25-day fast but remained determined to continue unless the government assured that no legal action, including FIRs, would be taken against protesting students.“I request the government not to use force against children. I demand an assurance for no accusations or FIRs through which they can be threatened with police or jails,” he had said.The activist had also praised students who participated in the Cockroach Janata Party’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ march on July 20, saying they remained peaceful despite police action.“Even upon being instigated and some elements being brought in for stone pelting, you remained patient. My heart melted. Because they were attacked brutally, I decided to continue fasting,” Wangchuk had said.He added that several ministers and opposition leaders, along with a letter signed by 65 MPs, had urged him to end his hunger strike, but reiterated that he would do so only after receiving assurances that protesters would not face legal action.
CJP calls for nationwide protests
Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janata Party has called for coordinated peaceful protests across the country on Friday, urging student unions and other organisations to join demonstrations demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the alleged paper leak.The protest call comes as the Centre continues to seek a discussion with the Opposition on the issue without preconditions, while CJP leaders have maintained that the education minister’s resignation remains “non-negotiable”.
