Delhi University has requested climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his indefinite fast following the government's pledge to establish fast-track courts for paper leak cases. The request comes amid ongoing student protests regarding the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and demands for the Education Minister's resignation.
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Delhi University issued an appeal on Thursday requesting climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to conclude his hunger strike. The university cited the central government's recent commitment to setting up fast-track courts specifically to handle paper leak cases as a reason for reconciliation. By aligning itself with this government initiative, the university expressed its desire for harmony in the current academic environment.
NEET-UG 2026 Protests and Demands
The hunger strike led by Sonam Wangchuk is being conducted in support of students and various youth organizations. These groups are protesting against the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, a significant issue that has disrupted medical entrance examinations. The core demand of the protest, supported by Wangchuk, is the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, whom protesters hold accountable for the systemic failures leading to the leak.
Institutional Support Sparks Debate
The university's official intervention has drawn attention to the role of academic institutions in politically sensitive matters. While the university stated that it welcomes the government's focus on punishing those involved in the leaks, the move has triggered backlash from within the academic community. Some faculty members have openly questioned the appropriateness of educational institutions issuing political endorsements while students are actively seeking accountability for the examination crisis.
Controversy also emerged after social media posts supporting Minister Pradhan were shared by the official accounts of certain college principals. For instance, Rajdhani College issued a public apology and retracted a post after facing criticism from teachers and students. Conversely, a similar statement regarding Minister Pradhan’s commitment to education modernization remains active on the official social media handle of the principal of Shaheed Bhagat Singh College. This divide has led to internal discussions among teaching staff regarding the neutrality of public universities and their responsibility toward students during periods of national concern. The situation remains fluid as stakeholders continue to debate the balance between institutional messaging and the ongoing concerns regarding exam integrity.