'Do I need a certificate of character?': Wangchuk, wife hits out at critics after climate activist ends 26-day hunger strike

Climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday hit back at critics who questioned his decision to end a 26-day hunger strike in support of students protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak.

In a video message posted on social media, he asked why his dedication to the cause needed a character certificate.

Wangchuk’s response to critics

Wangchuk said, “After 26 days of fasting for the sake of students, losing 11 kilograms of body weight, while also losing muscle mass and my organs and brain reaching the brink of irreversible damage, all in the scorching heat of Delhi after coming from a harsh winter in Ladakh, I have to ask for confirmation of character or from anyone that my fast was sacred or sacred. no?… Shame on a country that produces such a mind that I don’t blame anyone because most of you have no knowledge of what I’ve been through, what my family has been through in the last week or two… So before you listen to someone, be sure to check their background.

Wangchuk ended his hunger strike

His remarks came about a day after he ended an indefinite hunger strike at Medanta Hospital in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. News agency ANI reported that Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike after receiving a written assurance from the Center regarding the issue of NEET exams and systemic reforms in competitive testing in the country.

He also revealed that although he was first given a verbal assurance, he insisted on a formal document, leading to a two-day delay in ending his protest.

Pause Before You Criticize: Wangchuk’s wife

Before Wangchuk posted the video, his wife Gitanjali J Angmo took to her social media account to attack critics who questioned the climate activist’s decision to end the hunger strike he started on June 28 at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar after he joined the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest and sought the resignation of the students of Pradhan D who died with additional financial compensation for Pradhandra D’s resignation. suicide.

In the post, Angmo wrote: “Before you rush to criticize, first stop to earn the ethos of a 26-day fast for a cause bigger than yourself. He is in ICU today, has lost 11 kg, including muscle mass, because he chose sacrifice over comfort. The least we can offer him is a day of compassion before burdening him with our own expectations and political calculations, so that everyone first earns a moral calculations.” do so Please… Have a heart.”

Protests are growing in India

Protests against alleged irregularities and NEET-UG paper leak began on June 20 at Jantar Mantar. However, protests intensified earlier this week and demonstrations also started in several other parts of the country, including Mumbai and Bihar. On Monday, after the CJP launched her proposed ‘Chalo Sansad’ march, Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel resorted to lathicharge and tear gas to disperse the crowd heading towards Parliament. The march, which coincided with the first day of the monsoon session, gained further momentum as hundreds of protesters turned up during the week calling on the government to meet the CJP’s demands. On Friday, CJP leaders met government officials at the Constitution Club of India and informed them that Pradhan’s resignation remained non-negotiable.

Separately, the National Testing Agency (NTA) sacked 47 of its officials in a sweeping crackdown, adding that legal and criminal action would also be taken against some of them. Earlier on Thursday, the Ministry of Education received two new secretaries. Naresh Pal Gangwar has been appointed as Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education and TK Anil Kumar will be the new Secretary for School Education, marking another major change amid the ongoing protests and controversy surrounding the NEET-UG paper leak.

However, it remains to be seen whether the standoff between the students and the Center will end anytime soon.