Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday said he is ready to end his hunger strike if the Centre gives an assurance that no punitive or retaliatory action will be taken against protesters involved in the movement.
In a video released around 8 pm, Wangchuk said that if the government agrees to his demand, he will break his fast "today itself."
Earlier in the evening, in a letter addressed to Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, Wangchuk said he would request students and protesters to halt their agitation once the government provides the assurance.
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{{/usCountry}}"Therefore, I respectfully request an unequivocal assurance from the Government that none of the young protesters will face any punitive or retaliatory legal action for participating in this movement," Wangchuk wrote in the letter.
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Wangchuk said protesters had only raised their voices for a "fair and accountable education system" and sought justice for students affected by the NEET paper leak issue.
He also thanked the ministers for visiting him at the hospital and said they had assured him that the government would positively consider his demands, including adequate compensation for families of students who died by suicide following the examination paper leak and a discussion in Parliament on accountability, including consideration of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
Referring to the 'Chalo Sansad' march on July 20, Wangchuk said the protest remained peaceful despite what he described as "disproportionate use of force" by police. He appealed to the government to maintain faith in democratic institutions and avoid any legal cases, harassment or vindictive action against participants.
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Wangchuk, who has been on hunger strike over the NEET paper leak row, said that if the assurance is given, he would end his fast with the belief that the government had heard not only his appeal but also the concerns of young Indians.
Today (July 22) marks the 25th day of Wangchuk's hunger strike over the NEET paper leak row.
Delhi HC seeks response from police
The Delhi High Court sought responses from the Centre and the Delhi Police over use of force, and listed the matter for further hearing on September 11.
The court began hearing two petitions seeking an SIT probe into the alleged excessive use of force by the Delhi Police against protesters during the CJP's march. Advocates argued that police used force at peaceful protestors without any warning and urged the court to summon Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba for physically assaulting a woman standing on the sidelines during the protest.
Opposing the petitions, the Delhi Police contended that the so-called peaceful protest did not remain peaceful and that there are videos showing police personnel being injured.
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"The so-called peaceful agitation did not remain peaceful. There are videos showing that police personnel were injured. The crowd became unruly and resorted to violence, and violence cannot be permitted. There are videos showing members of the crowd throwing stones.
On Monday, thousands of protesters led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march, demanding accountability over the NEET paper leak row and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, among other demands, amid heavy security deployment.
As the crowd attempted to march towards Parliament on the first day of the Monsoon Session, police used lathi-charge and tear gas to disperse protesters.