Bollywood actor Salman Khan on Thursday, 23 July publicly urged activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his indefinite hunger strike, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's post on X promising strict action against those responsible for the NEET paper leak. Khan's appeal came amid mounting national pressure over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, with Wangchuk's protest having already stretched beyond three weeks.

What Salman Khan Said

Taking to his official account on X (formerly Twitter), Khan posted a lengthy note addressed both to students and to Wangchuk directly. “The students are at top priority, educationally n security-wise, so they need not worry and have their parents worried for them. The Honorable Prime Minister has tweeted, and I am sure that he will take strict action against all those people who are responsible for this leak. So students, plz go back to your parents n homes,” he wrote.

Turning specifically to Wangchuk, Khan added: “Sonam, it’s done, bro. Don’t extend this. Keep the spirit for another day if there be a need, which I doubt, n eat something. If u want, will send u food from home.” The personal, informal tone of the message drew wide attention on social media.

Sonam Wangchuk’s Protest and Removal

Activist Sonam Wangchuk had launched an indefinite hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET paper leak. His protest was held at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.

On 18 July, after completing 21 days of fasting, Delhi Police forcibly removed Wangchuk from the protest site in the early hours of the morning. Authorities shifted him to a hospital, citing his deteriorating health, medical advice, and compliance with a Delhi High Court order. The removal itself sparked fresh controversy, with critics questioning the manner in which a peaceful protester was displaced.

The NEET Paper Leak: Background

The NEET paper leak controversy had by this point gripped the country, triggering student demonstrations across multiple cities. The leak raised serious questions about the integrity of one of India’s most high-stakes entrance examinations, which determines medical college admissions for hundreds of thousands of aspirants annually. Wangchuk’s hunger strike had become one of the most visible faces of the broader protest movement.

Notably, this is not an isolated incident — paper leaks in competitive examinations have been a recurring concern in India, with earlier episodes in state-level and central recruitment tests having gone largely unresolved. The NEET episode brought the issue to national prime time.

Government’s Response

Prime Minister Modi's post on X, promising strict action against those responsible for the leak, was cited by Khan as sufficient grounds for Wangchuk to stand down. The government had faced sustained pressure from opposition parties, student groups, and civil society to act decisively. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, whose resignation Wangchuk had demanded, had not stepped down as of the date of Khan’s appeal.

As the controversy continues to unfold, all eyes remain on whether the Centre’s promised action translates into concrete accountability — and whether Wangchuk accepts the appeal to end his fast.