Sonam Wangchuk Continues Hunger Strike in New Delhi Over NEET-UG Scandal
- Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk has spent 17 days on a hunger strike at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
- Meanwhile, his political outfit, the Cockroach Janta Party, faces scrutiny over its founders' electoral ambitions, according to Hindustan Times.
- Wangchuk's ongoing protest has drawn regional political figures to the capital grounds, though none belong to the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party.
Seventeen Days at Jantar Mantar
Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk has spent 17 days on a hunger strike at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. He has shed over 8 kilograms during the fast.
Meanwhile, his political outfit, the Cockroach Janta Party, faces scrutiny over its founders’ electoral ambitions, according to Hindustan Times.
The NEET-UG Scandal and Demands for Resignation
Wangchuk’s ongoing protest has drawn regional political figures to the capital grounds, though none belong to the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party. Protesters and the Cockroach Janta Party are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The demonstration centers on the NEET-UG scandal, a question paper leak that forced the cancellation of a medical entrance exam taken by over two million candidates.
Addressing Political Ambitions
Speaking on the political aspirations of the movement’s organizers, Wangchuk defended the group’s intentions.
He acknowledged that the founders of the Cockroach Janta Party harbor political ambitions while insisting there is nothing inherently wrong with having such goals, according to Hindustan Times. CJP founders Abhijeet Dipke, Das, and Ranka are not saints, Wangchuk noted, while emphasizing that political aspirations do not invalidate their reform demands.
Deteriorating Health and Opposition Outreach
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke reported that Wangchuk’s health has deteriorated significantly during the fast, with muscle mass loss and abnormally low blood sugar levels.
Dipke utilized posts on X to document outreach from opposition figures, including Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav, and National Congress Party figure Rohit Pawar.
Sharp Government Criticism Amid a Media Blackout
Political reactions to the protest highlight deep divisions between opposition figures and the central government.
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the administration during the fast, describing the governing party as a principle-less and corrupt system. Similarly, Rohit Pawar accused the government of indifference and alleged an undeclared media ban aimed at suppressing protest coverage from major television networks.
Defiant Stance on Prime Minister Modi’s Government
Despite mounting pressure from visiting politicians to call off the protest due to his worsening physical condition, Wangchuk has refused to end his hunger strike.
The activist insists he will continue the fast until Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government engages in meaningful dialogue with the demonstrators and addresses their demands regarding the education ministry.