"Wake-up call for govt": Wife cites 65 MPs' support as Wangchuk concluded hunger strike

Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, on Friday stated that Sonam Wangchuk called off his indefinite hunger strike after receiving written confirmations from the government and backing from almost 65 Members of Parliament regarding educational reforms. Talking to the reporters, Gitanjali Angmo highlighted that MPs have pledged support for legislative accountability and noted that both the government and opposition have committed to taking up systemic education reforms during the current Monsoon Session.

"At midnight, we got written confirmation from govt of acceptance of our demand for no FIR against student protestors, compensation for NEET victims and discussion on educational reforms in Parliament. JP Nadda ji and Jitendra Singh from the government had come here yesterday. Before that, 16 MPs visited here, and 65 MPs from the Opposition have given written assurance that this issue will be discussed in Parliament," she said. Stressing that examination irregularities exposed deep systemic flaws, Gitanjali Angmo announced that the movement achieved its core objectives following written guarantees and appeals from MPs.

Gitanjali Angmo noted that widespread public engagement exposed deeper systemic flaws during the recent demonstrations, leading to formal commitments for parliamentary debate and the conclusion of the protest fast, and described it as a successful movement. She added, "The govt and the Opposition have decided that discussion on education reforms will take place in this Monsoon session. This has awakened the whole nation. NEET paper leak was the symptom, but the causes are present in the system." "We hope that this will be a wake-up call for the government. It has been a successful movement, and this is why Sonam ended his fast. From tomorrow, he will graduate to a semi-solid diet," Gitanjali Angmo said.