Sonam Wangchuk Hunger Strike Highlights: Arvind Kejriwal slams BJP over paper leaks — ‘listen to youth, otherwise….’

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Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said young people from across the country had united to demand reforms in the examination system and lauded them for speaking up in favour of a fair and transparent education process.

He also praised Sonam Wangchuk, saying the activist was fighting not for personal gain but for the interests of students, children and young people across the country.

Referring to Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike, Kejriwal said the activist had put his own life on the line for the cause and expressed admiration for everyone associated with the movement, including those who had endured persecution and other hardships.

While speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut expressed concern over the health of Wangchuk, as per PTI.

"His health is deteriorating, and it should be an issue of grave concern for everyone," he added.

Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday accused the Centre of remaining indifferent to the health of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite hunger strike over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.

In a Facebook post, Vijayan said reports about Wangchuk's deteriorating health were worrying and alleged that the Centre was unwilling to engage in discussions on the issues raised by the activist.

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday appealed to activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his indefinite hunger strike, while criticising the BJP-led Centre and describing it as "anti-people." He said a government with such an approach had no right to remain in power.

Sibal urged Wangchuk to call off his fast, saying the government appeared indifferent to his condition, but stressed that the country's youth stood with him and that many more battles remained to be fought in the future.

"Why does a person go on a hunger strike? Why did Mahatma Gandhi undertake fasts? Whenever it appeared that the government was taking the path of injustice, there was bound to be protest. Protest has many forms and methods, and fasting is one such way. When someone goes on a fast, especially a fast unto death, offering even his life, the government should at least adopt a dialogue-oriented approach," Sibal said at a press conference here.

The Congress on Thursday appealed to activist Sonam Wangchuk to call off his indefinite hunger strike, saying "his concerns are our concerns." The party also reiterated its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K C Venugopal said, "Shri Sonam Wangchuk has now been on a hunger strike for 19 days, demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister. The Indian National Congress has been making this very demand for over a month and a half."

"We share the anguish and outrage that Shri Wangchuk ji feels, especially due to the lack of accountability within the Modi Govt - for the collapse of the examination system in particular," Venugopal said in a post on X.

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has passed a resolution on Sonam Wangchuk's ongoing hunger strike, expressing regret that the authorities have not responded to the demands raised by the activist, as per Live Law.

Speaking at the protest in Delhi, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal recalled participating in Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement at the same venue in April 2011. He urged the government to listen to Sonam Wangchuk's demands, warning that ignoring the protest could lead to political consequences similar to those faced after the 2011 movement, saying it would otherwise face "the same fate three years from now."

Former MP Prakash Ambedkar extended support to Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) thanked Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party delegation for showing support and standing in solidarity with students. The party acknowledged their backing amid the ongoing protest.

"Paper leaks have shattered the confidence of an entire generation. Every year there is another paper leak, yet no accountability. In the 2022 paper leak case, even the alleged mastermind received bail. This has become a system. How long will our children continue to suffer?" Kejriwal stated.

He added, "A government consumed by arrogance never survives. I appeal to the Government to listen to these students before it is too late. If the Government truly wants to reform education, it should make Sonam Wangchuk the Education Minister."

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke recalled a funny conversation with Sonam Wangchuk when the activist told him to “shut up” after Dipke told him to use wheelchair to go to the washroom amid weakness. Wangchuk said he will walk as he was capable of it, Dipke said.

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AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the issue. Taking a swipe at the BJP-led Centre, he also joked that former Union minister Smriti Irani should be appointed as the next education minister.

AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh appealed to young people across the country to participate in the proposed march to Parliament on July 20 in support of the ongoing protest.

“Listen to the youth, Cockroach movement & Sonam Wangchuk, otherwise, three years later you (Central Govt) will meet a 2014-like fate...I also extend a proposal - Dharmendra Pradhan should resign but make Sonam Wangchuk the Education Minister of the country. I suggest the PM - remove Dharmendra Pradhan and make Sonam Wangchuk the Union Education Minister,” Kejriwal said.

Addressing the gathering at Jantar Mantar after meeting Sonam Wangchuk, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal said repeated paper leaks in national and state-level examinations have severely undermined the confidence of young people.

Calling for accountability from the BJP-led Centre, Kejriwal said, "The way papers have started leaking nowadays has crippled the confidence of students, this is very dangerous for the country."

Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrived at Jantar Mantar to meet Sonam WAngchuk

MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday hit out at the Centre over climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's ongoing hunger strike, saying the government has perhaps decided to sacrifice the very space for a protest in the country.

"The reports regarding his (Wangchuk's) health and the visuals on television are certainly alarming. It is deeply distressing to say this, but it appears the government has decided to sacrifice Sonam Wangchuk, and by extension, the very space for protest in this country," Thackeray said.

– PTI