Govt Reaches Out to Sonam Wangchuk Amid NEET Protest

New Delhi: Union ministers J.P. Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh met activist Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on Tuesday, signalling the Centre’s attempt to engage with key stakeholders amid the ongoing controversy over alleged NEET examination irregularities. The meeting came as Wangchuk continues his indefinite fast and follows a series of political developments surrounding demands for parliamentary discussion and reforms in the country’s education system.

Wangchuk was shifted to Medanta Hospital on Tuesday evening after being discharged from Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital in compliance with an order of the Delhi High Court.

According to sources, Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh spent more than an hour with Wangchuk, during which the Union Health Minister enquired about his health condition. The ministers also conveyed that the government was prepared to initiate a discussion in Parliament on the protests linked to NEET.

Sources further said that the Centre assured Wangchuk that appropriate measures would be taken to bring about education reforms across the country. They also urged him to appeal to protesting students to maintain faith in the government and avoid taking the law into their own hands.

Before visiting Medanta Hospital, Dr. Jitendra Singh held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah that lasted for more than four hours.

The hospital visit came shortly after Dr. Jitendra Singh met Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who was staging a protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence. Following that meeting, Singh stated that the government had accepted Gandhi’s initial demand for a discussion on NEET in Parliament.

He, however, added that Gandhi changed the goal post by demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. The Union Minister further said that Gandhi was requested to end the sit-in because the location wasn’t designated for protests and caused public inconvenience.

Wangchuk reached Medanta Hospital in an ambulance at 7:28 pm under heightened security arrangements. He was admitted to ICU 8, where he is receiving treatment under the supervision of Dr. Sushila Kataria, an internal medicine specialist.

The activist has been observing an indefinite fast since June 28 over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.

Confirming the transfer, Safdarjung Hospital said, “Sonam Wangchuk has been discharged from VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital today at 06:40 pm and has been handed over to the team of doctors from Medanta Hospital, Gurugram for further medical care as per the order dated 21.07.2026 of Hon’ble High Court of Delhi.”

The hospital further stated, “At the time of discharge, his vital parameters were stable. However, pancytopenia persists, and his serum potassium level was 3.4 mEq/L.” It added that all medical records and treatment documents had been shared with Medanta Hospital to ensure continuity of treatment.

The Delhi High Court directed Medanta Hospital to constitute a team of specialist doctors for continuous monitoring and treatment of Wangchuk in accordance with accepted medical protocols. The court observed that allowing him to receive treatment at a hospital of his choice forms part of his fundamental rights under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution. Following the court’s directions, security around Medanta Hospital was also strengthened.

The developments mark a significant moment in the ongoing NEET controversy, with the government combining medical support for Wangchuk with political outreach on the larger issue of examination reforms. As discussions over accountability and systemic changes continue, the focus now shifts to Parliament and the Centre’s promised measures aimed at addressing concerns surrounding the country’s education system.