Sonam Wangchuk begins hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, joining the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest that has been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in examinations.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the protest, which began on June 20 amid the NEET paper leak row and other exam controversies, would not remain confined to education-related issues and that the platform would also raise other matters concerning accountability, including those related to the electoral system.Newspapers

Addressing the protesters, Dipke asked them not to turn the agitation into a personality-centric movement after some participants raised slogans hailing him.

“Why do we make one person bigger than the issue in our country? We have made one person bigger than all issues, institutions and even faith. This is your responsibility. Never make anyone bigger than the issue,” he



said.

He said people should not view the protest as being limited to a single issue. “People are assuming this is only NEET issue, education… I must tell you this is just the beginning. We will also come to election (issues),” he said, drawing cheers from the gathering.

Dipke also referred to electoral issues, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and said the movement would continue to raise concerns beyond the immediate demands of the protest.

“Whether we contest elections or not, we will work to reform the election system. What is happening now — vote deletion — there will be no need for EVMs,” he said.

The protest saw participation from students, civil society members and farmer leaders, with the crowd swelling to thousands by the evening.

Six students also joined the hunger strike in solidarity with Wangchuk’s call. They were sitting on a separate stage at the protest venue and not on the main platform.