Sonam Wangchuk begins indefinite fast at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, farmers join CJP protest
New Delhi: Ladakh-based climate activist Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite fast at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, giving fresh momentum to the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protest demanding the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over examination irregularities and NEET paper leaks.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the protest, underway since June 20, entered a new phase as hundreds of students, youth, farmer leaders and khap representatives gathered at the site. Before starting the fast, Wangchuk and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke visited Rajghat and paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.
The gathering opened with a two-minute silence. Explaining his decision, Wangchuk said he was compelled by the government’s inaction. “I have been compelled by the Modi government to undertake this hunger strike as none of our demands have been fulfilled. I believe it is better to sacrifice myself for a good cause, and therefore I have decided to continue this hunger strike for an indefinite period,” he said. He added that education had been close to his heart for 40 years and the agitation was not limited to one issue.
Members of the All-India Students’ Association (AISA), including AISA national president Neha, a JNU research scholar, announced an indefinite hunger strike in solidarity with Wangchuk.
Dipke said that around 500 farmers had been placed under house arrest to prevent them from joining the protest. Farmer leaders and Khap Panchayat representatives, including Sarv Khap convener Om Prakash Dhankhar and khap leader Atar Singh Kadyan, addressed the gathering and warned of larger farmer mobilisation from today (Monday).
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) national spokesperson Anish Gawande also joined in solidarity, claiming support from several Opposition parties. Dipke said the immediate demand remained Pradhan’s resignation and called the movement his “Swadesh moment”, urging youth across the country to join the protest.
