Sonam Wangchuk Begins Hunger Strike Demanding Pradhan’s Resignation

New Delhi: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday began a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, where the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has been protesting since June 20, and demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over allegations of irregularities in the exams. Hundreds of protesters, mostly young people and students, gathered at Jantar Mantar as Wangchuk began his fast. Many farmer leaders were also present at the protest area. The protest started with a two-minute silence.

Before starting the hunger strike, Wangchuk and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke visited Rajghat and paid their respects to Mahatma Gandhi.

Dipke had in the past called on farmers, students and organizations to join the protest and support the call for accountability over alleged irregularities in the examination system, including the medical entrance test NEET.

He said that at X on Sunday morning, a large number of farmer leaders from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab were placed under house arrest to prevent them from reaching Jantar Mantar.

CJP had started its protest at Jantar Mantar on June 20, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

During the protest, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke had claimed that the issue was not limited to a single exam but reflected broader concerns about transparency and trust in the education system.

The protest also saw participation from students and civil society members.