As Sonam Wangchuk enters his 19th day of hunger strike, the Congress party has appealed for his health while reaffirming its demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over NEET irregularities.
Key Takeaways
- Activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 19 days at Jantar Mantar.
- Congress leader K.C. Venugopal expressed solidarity with Wangchuk's concerns regarding the education system.
- The Delhi High Court has mandated daily medical monitoring of Wangchuk's health.
- The primary demand remains the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
In a significant political development, the Indian National Congress has reached out to activist Sonam Wangchuk, urging him to conclude his indefinite hunger strike citing deteriorating health conditions. While expressing deep concern for his well-being, the party has maintained a hardline stance against the Modi government regarding the recent controversies surrounding the NEET examination.
The Political Stance of the Opposition
Senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal, in a poignant post on X, emphasized that the grievances raised by Wangchuk resonate with the entire Opposition. "His concerns are our concerns and that of other Opposition parties as well," Venugopal stated. He further assured that the Congress would not back down from its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing a massive failure in accountability and the collapse of the national examination framework.
Judicial Intervention and Health Crisis
The situation took a legal turn as the Delhi High Court intervened to protect the life of the activist. Observing the gravity of the hunger strike, the Bench directed both the Central and Delhi governments to ensure rigorous, daily clinical monitoring of Wangchuk's health. The court's observation was profound: "The life of any citizen is precious, and efforts ought to be made by the government authorities to save the same." This directive comes at a time when Wangchuk's physical condition is reportedly becoming increasingly fragile.
A Growing Movement for Accountability
The protest at Jantar Mantar has gained momentum, with groups like the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) also participating in the agitation. The movement, which centers on the integrity of the education system, has transitioned from a localized protest to a national discourse on institutional transparency. As the standoff continues, the pressure on the Ministry of Education continues to mount, with the Opposition planning further escalations in Parliament.