Congress MP Imran Masood on Saturday, 25 July publicly questioned activist Sonam Wangchuk's decision to call off his 26-day hunger strike after a meeting with Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, demanding clarity on what understanding, if any, had been reached between Wangchuk and the government. The protest had been launched in solidarity with students demonstrating against examination paper leaks.

The Core Allegation

Masood pointed to a perceived inconsistency: that Wangchuk had declined repeated appeals from 45 Opposition MPs, student groups, and leaders including Abhijeet Dipke to end his fast, but agreed to do so after two ministers from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intervened. 'We had been continuously saying for a long time that your life is precious and that you should not put yourself at risk. But when two ministers from the BJP government went to you, you immediately agreed? And what exactly did you agree on? Please explain that as well,' Masood said.

The Congress MP argued that if Wangchuk had genuinely been fasting for the students' cause, the protest should have ended at the students' own request. 'If you had called 10 students and accepted juice from their hands, it would have made sense that you had taken a step based on their appeal. The question being raised against you is: On what grounds did you agree with the ministers and decide to break your hunger strike?' he said.

Wangchuk's Response

Wangchuk rejected allegations of any compromise with the government, asking critics, 'Do I need a character certificate?' He maintained that no agreement had been reached with the Centre and that his primary objective throughout the protest was to ensure that students participating in the movement were not subjected to violence or legal action.

Political Crossfire and Trolling Claims

Masood said MPs from the Congress, Samajwadi Party, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had also appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast, but those requests went unheeded. When criticism of his own remarks surfaced, Masood claimed he was being targeted by BJP supporters on social media. 'Who is trolling? The BJP! I am being trolled from BJP handles, right? So the picture is clear, isn't it?' he said. He also compared Wangchuk to veteran activist Anna Hazare, calling him 'Anna Hazare Part 2.'

Government Action on Paper Leaks

Masood's remarks came a day after the Union Cabinet approved a draft Bill proposing significantly stricter punishments for paper leaks in competitive examinations. The decision followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement that the government would establish fast-track courts and introduce stronger legal measures to protect students. Masood dismissed the legislative move, arguing that existing laws were sufficient and that the real failure lay in non-filing of chargesheets. He also targeted the Education Minister, saying, 'One person who has destroyed the entire education system of the country — the Education Minister. You are not ready to remove him.'

NTA Officials and Accountability

Masood also questioned the government's decision to remove 47 officials associated with the National Testing Agency (NTA), arguing that those dismissed were contractual workers or personnel on deputation rather than permanent NTA employees. 'What was their actual role? Just look at the situation and see where things stand. Contractual employees were working inside the NTA,' he said, suggesting the action amounted to optics rather than accountability. The broader controversy over the NTA and examination integrity continues to put pressure on the government ahead of any legislative resolution.