NEW DELHI, Jun 28 (Agencies): Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday began a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, where the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has been holding a protest since June 20, seeking the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in examinations.
Hundreds of protesters, mostly youth and students, gathered at Jantar Mantar as Wangchuk began his fast. Several farmer and khap leaders were also present at the protest site. The protest began with a two-minute silence.
Before starting the hunger strike, Wangchuk and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke visited Rajghat and paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said he would not join the hunger strike because of migraine-related health concerns. Instead, members of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) have announced that they will sit on an indefinite hunger strike in solidarity with Wangchuk.
Dipke has in the past appealed to farmers, students and organisations to join the protest and support the call for accountability over alleged irregularities in the examination system, including medical entrance test NEET.
On Sunday morning, he said on X that several farmers’ leaders from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab were being placed under house arrest to prevent them from reaching Jantar Mantar.
Ashutosh Ranka, official spokesperson of CJP, told The Tribune, “Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni is expected to join the agitation tomorrow. He came here earlier to show us the way and has promised his support for the cause we are demanding.”
The CJP had started its protest at Jantar Mantar on June 20, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
During the course of the protest, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke had alleged that the issue was not limited to a single examination but reflected wider concerns over transparency and trust in the education system. The protest has also seen participation from students and civil society members.