"Resolve issues through dialogue, not suppression": Anna Hazare writes to PM Modi over protests, NEET irregularities

New Delhi [India], July 22 (ANI): Social activist Anna Hazare on Wednesday wrote a formal letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing deep pain over recent violence and police action against protesting students in New Delhi, urging the central government to establish a constructive dialogue rather than suppressing democratic dissent.
In his letter, Hazare highlighted systemic failures surrounding the NEET examination, student distress, and the forceful handling of environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike.
Terming the recent police action and violence in Delhi "extremely painful," Hazare noted that public dissatisfaction over paper leaks, delayed recruitments, and unemployment should be treated as societal grief rather than mere law-and-order disruptions.
Hazare backed the 25-day agitation by students and parents demanding the resignation of the concerned minister over NEET irregularities. He emphasised that fixing top-level accountability and taking a minister's resignation would strengthen government effectiveness and send a clear message across departments without causing a loss of power.
Pointing out recurring paper leaks in 2024 and 2026 affecting over 2.2 million candidates, Hazare expressed sorrow over reports of 22 students taking their lives due to despair. He criticised the practice of scapegoating lower-level officials while top leadership claims credit only for successes.
The anti-corruption leader criticised the government's refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue before forcibly removing activist Sonam Wangchuk from his fast site, calling it contrary to democratic ideals.
"In a democracy, dialogue is always a better path than conflict... Listening patiently to the people, creating an atmosphere of trust, and finding solutions through positive dialogue is the real test of democracy. Our country is the inheritor of Mahatma Gandhi's ideals of satyagraha and the democratic values established by the Constitution," read the letter.
Hazare urged Prime Minister Modi to demonstrate restraint, sensitivity, and tolerance to restore public trust and uphold India's constitutional principles.
Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk demanded the Centre's assurance for no "punitive or retaliatory legal action" against protestors who joined the Cockroach Janata Party's 'Sansad Chalo' protest, as a condition for ending his indefinite fast.
Sonam Wangchuk has entered the 25th day of his indefinite fast, which began with the demand of resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmandra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak.
In a statement issued on X, Sonam Wangchuk maintained that the protestors did not commit any offence by participating in the movement.
He wrote, "Therefore, I respectfully request an unequivocal assurance from the Government that none of the young protesters will face any punitive or retaliatory legal action for participating in this movement. Their only 'offence' has been to raise their voice for a fair and accountable education system."
The Delhi Police has registered as many as 10 FIRs in connection with the protests organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in the national capital.
The Delhi High Court has, meanwhile, issued notice to the Centre and the Delhi Police on three public interest litigations alleging excessive use of force by police during the protest and directed the authorities to preserve CCTV footage and all other relevant electronic records relating to the incident. (ANI)