Mulishness by the Indian government will rapidly turn nationwide protests into a movement.

It is high time the government accepted Mr. Wangchuk's demand that he would abort his fast provided the government takes no action, legal or otherwise, against the protesting children and young people. The protest going on for more than a month has been remarkably peaceful.

It would be silly for the government to persist in its stubbornness by retaining the education minister. Fasting continuously for 25 days is a gruelling exercise.

I must add that the management provided by the doctors and nurses in Safdarjung Hospital (Delhi) must have been top-class; the staff there has unimpeachable integrity and world-class professionalism.