‘Vande Bharat Filled Me With Pride’: Sonam Wangchuk Praises Railways, Urges Centre to Keep ‘No FIR’ Promise to NEET Protesters

New Delhi: Scientist and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk has praised the growing achievements of Indian Railways after travelling on the Vande Bharat Express from Delhi to Jammu and Kashmir, describing the journey as a moment of national pride. At the same time, he appealed to the Central Government to fulfil its reported assurance that no FIRs would be lodged against students who took part in nationwide protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak.

The noted innovator shared his travel experience through a video on X (formerly Twitter) while continuing his journey towards Ladakh. Fresh from ending his hunger strike on July 23 following medical treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, Wangchuk appeared optimistic as he reflected on both India’s infrastructure progress and the need for educational reforms.

Vande Bharat Journey Leaves Wangchuk Impressed

Calling trains his favourite mode of transport, Wangchuk said he had long wanted to experience the Vande Bharat Express route connecting Delhi with Jammu and Kashmir. One of the highlights of the trip, he said, was crossing the iconic Chenab Bridge, an engineering marvel that has become a symbol of India’s railway development.

According to him, the journey reinforced his confidence in the remarkable progress achieved by Indian Railways over the years. He described the experience as memorable and said it filled him with pride. After spending a night in Kashmir, he resumed his onward journey to Ladakh.

Appeal Over Student Protest Cases

While celebrating the country’s infrastructure achievements, Wangchuk also turned his attention to the student protests that erupted following allegations of irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.

He urged the government to honour its reported commitment that students who peacefully participated in the demonstrations would not face criminal cases. Stressing the importance of protecting young voices, he expressed hope that trust between students and authorities would be maintained.

Exam Reform Bill Welcomed

The activist also welcomed the passage of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha. The legislation aims to tighten laws against examination paper leaks and other unfair practices that have shaken public confidence in competitive examinations.

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Wangchuk said the new legal framework should not only prevent future paper leaks but also become the starting point for wider reforms in India’s education system. He expressed hope that policymakers would use the opportunity to improve transparency, fairness and accountability across public examinations.

Supreme Court Orders Medical Care for Injured Protesters

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court directed the Delhi Government to ensure proper medical treatment for protesters who suffered pellet gun injuries during the demonstrations linked to the alleged paper leak controversy.

The court’s direction comes as questions continue to be raised over the handling of the protests and the use of force against demonstrators. Several organisations have demanded accountability while calling for better protection of students exercising their democratic rights.

A Message of Unity

Having supported the student movement through his participation in the sit-in at Jantar Mantar, Sonam Wangchuk concluded his latest message on a hopeful note. He urged both citizens and the government to work together for the nation’s progress, saying that meaningful reforms and mutual trust are essential to building a stronger and greater India.

His message combined appreciation for the country’s engineering achievements with a reminder that development must go hand in hand with justice, accountability and confidence in public institutions.