Shashi Tharoor urges Wangchuk to end fast, calls on Centre to hold talks

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has appealed to activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his indefinite hunger strike over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, while urging the Centre to initiate dialogue with protesting students.

In an open letter addressed to protesters at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday, Tharoor said Parliament, which reconvenes on Monday, provides the appropriate platform to raise the concerns of students.

"With Parliament in session again from Monday, we will have an opportunity to raise the students' issues in the highest forum of our democracy. That's where the problem should be addressed, not by fasting unto death. Please heed my plea," he wrote.

Addressing the protesters, Tharoor said he was speaking not as a politician but as someone who understood the importance of a fair and merit-based education system.

Recalling his own upbringing in a middle-class family, he said scholarships, transparent examinations and honest results had enabled him to pursue higher education and build his career.

"When that ladder is broken through paper leaks, cancelled examinations or loss of trust, it is ordinary families that suffer the most," he said, adding that wealthy families often have other opportunities unavailable to the majority of students.

He expressed solidarity with students protesting peacefully across the country, saying their frustration reflected the disappointment of a generation that had worked hard but felt let down by the system.

Tharoor also urged the government to engage with the protesters, saying dialogue was essential in a democracy.

"Reach out and engage in the dialogue our democracy owes its young citizens. That is not weakness; that is statesmanship," he said.

Wangchuk joined the agitation at Jantar Mantar on June 28 and has remained on an indefinite fast since then in support of demands for reforms following alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. The protest organisers have also announced a march to Parliament on July 20.

According to the organisers, Wangchuk's health has deteriorated significantly during the fast. They said he has lost around 8.5 kg, is experiencing muscle loss and remains in severe discomfort, but has refused to end his protest.

Several political leaders, including Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, have appealed to Wangchuk to call off his fast.

Actor Zeenat Aman has also urged the government to initiate talks with Wangchuk, while actor Omi Vaidya appealed for greater public attention to the activist's worsening health.

PTI