CJP Protest: Sonam Wangchuk Hints At Ending Hunger Strike, Write New Letter To Govt From Hospital

[00:00:00]And we begin with an update that's coming from the Medanta Hospital on Sonam Wangchuk who's now in a fresh letter written to Union Ministers Jitendra Singh and JP Nadda. Remember they'd met him last [music] night. He's now said, "I have one primary condition, which is that the protesters who were part of the July 20th protest that had taken place in the streets of the national capital, you do not take any action against these protesters."

[00:00:25]Calling them innocent, saying these are youngsters who are fearing for their future. They've come out to the streets don't take action against them, I will end my hunger strike." What about the demand that was made earlier by Sonam Wangchuk where he started off the hunger strike saying he wants the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan a couple of days ago. He had diluted his stand on that.

[00:00:43]Now he says that on the condition that there is a consideration of Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, I will end my hunger strike. So all he's asking for is a consideration. He's also urged for a debate to aim Parliament which the government of course has already said they are open to. Does this mean essentially that in the next 24 hours we could see further progress?

[00:01:04]That the government could respond to Sonam Wangchuk's latest letter and therefore the end of his hunger strike?

[00:01:11]In his letter he's also candidly said that I don't want to continue my hunger [music] strike. I'd like to continue with my life. I'd like to continue teaching. But the students of India, the youngsters future must be secured. And that's why he says, "I [music] will have no choice but to indefinitely fast if these basic demands are unmet." Which looks unlikely. In all likelihood the government now will say, "Look, these are demands that we [music] can address." I'll bring in Piyush Mishra for more details on this. Piyush, clearly evidently the role of branch from the government has worked as far as Sonam Wangchuk is concerned. You're seeing now in these demands that Wangchuk has put out primarily a demand that protesters who were part of July 20th be let off.

[00:01:59]>> Okay. the thing is clear that so the one trick has put forward his the conditions to end the fast. He's also saying that uh to have a meaningful discussion in Parliament to ensure accountability. Uh he's also saying that the accountability must must be fixed which also should also include the consideration of resignation of a union education minister. At the same time, he's also adding about the fact that after the visit of our union ministers, 50 members of Parliament from across political parties have written a letter to him where many of them have expressed their concerns and they are now uh in a requesting him to end his fast.

[00:02:41]Uh now the best of the season of the government is going to look into it.

[00:02:44]Yes, he wanted to you know have a fruitful discussion which it seems like he has agreed. The government has also agreed for that. It remains to be seen how things are further going to pan out.

[00:02:54]>> All right, Piyush uh >> Thanks for those details. What we're seeing right now is Wangchuk saying that as long as there's compensation for the victims of those who ended their lives uh during the NEET drama and as long as there's a discussion in Parliament, the government has already agreed to that.

[00:03:09]As long as there's no action against the protesters, he will end his strike. So, climb down as far as the resignation demand is concerned. We'll see whether that leads to some sort of breakthrough really as far as Wangchuk's fast is concerned. But there are three fronts on which the government has kind of opened up dialogue now. If previously there was no conversation that happened, that's changed in the last 24 to 48 hours. So much so that today there was buzz that there'd be a round two of talks between the government and CJP. That hasn't happened just yet because there's still a big question mark about where this kind of a meeting could happen. You remember that the first round was between JP Nadda and the CJP delegation.

[00:03:46]Similar round of talks is expected.

[00:03:48]Again, JP Nadda will be representing the government. That's on one front.

[00:03:52]Wangchuk, I've already given you that update that there was a late-night meeting and now a fresh appeal from Wangchuk and Rahul Gandhi, the opposition. Yesterday, we saw attempts to broker peace dialogue by the government. Even in Parliament today, they maintained, "We're okay with the debate on this issue in Parliament. We can sit down and figure out how much time should be allocated for this discussion as well." So, they seem to be ready to have a dialogue. Will it lead to any result, any breakthrough? Is the question.

[00:04:34]As protests against education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over NEET paper leaks rocked the national capital, the Narendra Modi government is reaching out to all the stakeholders.

[00:04:48]The government aims to hold a second round of talks with the Kokro Janata Party, but the protest leaders are demanding a neutral venue this time.

[00:04:57]Union Health Minister JP Nadda had met a BJP delegation on Monday. That round did not yield any outcome.

[00:05:04]>> Is it possible for to have a rational now dialogue between government and and or is there too much of mistrust on both sides?

[00:05:11]>> not. We are open for dialogue and we are very rational people and we had suggested Jantar Mantar, but keeping in view the security situation, we have agreed to a neutral place.

[00:05:23]>> Sources say senior ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh also met educationist Sonam Wangchuk at the Medanta Hospital in Gurugram last night.

[00:05:33]The activist remains on a hunger strike, though the BJP leaders have urged him to end it. And now, Wangchuk has written to Nadda and Jitendra Singh seeking an unequivocal assurance that none of the young protesters will face punitive or retaliatory legal action for participating in the movement. He has also sought an assurance against any further use of excessive police force.

[00:05:57]Wangchuk says he will end his fast if the government gives that assurance.

[00:06:02]Without it, he says he will continue his hunger strike indefinitely. [music] The government also offered debate in parliament, but not under the rule demanded by the opposition, which is also insisting on the education minister's ouster.

[00:07:16]On Tuesday, the government approached Rahul Gandhi too for a parliament debate before the leader of opposition was dragged away by Delhi police from outside the PM's residence.

[00:07:28]Rahul was detained briefly at the Chhatrasal Stadium before he was released.

[00:07:36]As a loopy who can lay minister and a key element who can leave up this case students and mafia monkey.

[00:07:49]Or gently say gently examination system or education systems or reform show kitchen.

[00:07:57]>> Three engagements, one message. The government wants to contain the protest before it spreads further.

[00:08:04]The question being asked in political corridors tonight, is this a genuine olive branch or just crisis management?

[00:08:12]Bureau report, India today.