Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, combining his long-standing campaign for Himalayan protection with demands for accountability over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination. Wangchuk also called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing the NEET paper leak and other examination-related controversies.
Before launching the protest, Wangchuk visited Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Rajghat along with supporters, including Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke. Addressing the gathering, he said he had been compelled to adopt the path of peaceful protest because of what he described as a lack of government accountability and sensitivity.
Wangchuk said education had remained close to his heart since his student days and that his participation in the protest reflected both his concern over the education system and his continued advocacy for the protection of the Himalayan ecosystem. He maintained that peaceful protest remains the most effective democratic means of seeking accountability.
Joining Wangchuk on the indefinite fast are six students affiliated with the All India Students’ Association (AISA), the student wing of CPI(ML)-Liberation. The students are demanding greater transparency in national examinations and action over alleged lapses in the conduct of competitive tests.
AISA national president Neha Bora, one of the participants in the hunger strike, said the protest was aimed at highlighting concerns over examination integrity and the broader impact of alleged administrative failures on students. She argued that the government must respond to demands for accountability and ensure that confidence in the education system is restored.
Wangchuk previously undertook a 15-day hunger strike in Leh in September last year to press for statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh. His latest protest expands the focus to include educational reforms while continuing to advocate for environmental protection and the sustainable development of the Himalayan region.
