Kalaburagi: CPI(M) protests detention of Sonam Wangchuk, seeks Education Minister’s resignation

Members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] Held a protest at SVP Circle in Kalaburagi on Sunday, July 19, 2026, condemning the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over allegations of irregularities in the NEET exam.

Protesters burned an effigy depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr Pradhan and symbolically broke an earthen pot as a mark of protest against what they described as the “communal and fascist policies” of the Union Government.

Addressing the protesters, CPI(M) district secretary K. Neela alleged that the police forcibly removed Mr. Wangchuk, who was on hunger strike demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister over the alleged leak of NEET question paper. He described the police action as an attack on democratic rights and criticized the Centre’s claim that it refused to engage in dialogue with the protesters.

Ms. Neela also alleged that the Union Government has failed to ensure transparent and leak-proof examinations and alleged that centralization and commercialization of education under the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, has contributed to examination irregularities. It demanded Mr. Pradhan’s resignation and called for the abolition of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and NEP 2020.

Sudham Dhanni, Bhimashetty Yampalli, Pandurang, Shanta Ghanti, Chandamma Gola, Imam Saab, MB Sajjan, Padmini Kirangi and party leaders representing student and youth wings participated in the agitation.