Sonam Wangchuk Threatens Hunger Strike as Student Protests Continue at Jantar Mantar

Prominent public figures and student groups gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Friday to protest ongoing examination irregularities, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and prompting activist Sonam Wangchuk to threaten a hunger strike. The demonstration drew support from various leaders and educators who spoke in solidarity with the examination aspirants.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk announced that he would begin a hunger strike on June 28 if the central government fails to show accountability over the examination issues by June 27. Wangchuk appealed to the government to respond to the protesting students' demands by Saturday.

The protest on Friday featured a series of scheduled speeches by notable personalities. Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke announced the lineup of speakers who joined the demonstration to support the aspirants.

According to the schedule released by Dipke, the Bharat Natya Manch addressed the gathering at 3:30 PM, followed by farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chadooni at 4:00 PM. Activist Ranjeet Yadav spoke at 4:30 PM, followed by Colin Gonsalves at 5:00 PM, and educator Kashif concluded the scheduled addresses at 5:30 PM.

During the event, Dipke made an appeal to families, urging them to support the protesting youth. He shared that he had received a letter from a student whose parents did not allow her to attend the demonstration.

"I appeal to all parents: Please do not stop your children from participating in the protest. This is about their future," Dipke said.

Protesters also marked the birthday of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during the demonstration. Protesters raised slogans and held up placards that read, "Happy Birthday, Dharmendra Pradhan, please resign." The demonstrators accused the minister of failing to ensure accountability over the alleged irregularities in the examinations.