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EYE ON INDIA JULY 24, 2026 | The Indian Eye 8

NEET Row Fuels Opposition Unity

as Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike

Gains Political Momentum

OUR BUREAU Support for Wangchuk extended
beyond the AAP. Samajwadi Party
New Delhi
MP Dimple Yadav visited the protest
limate activist and education site and appealed to the government
reformer Sonam Wangchuk’s to engage in dialogue with the activ-
Cindefinite hunger strike de- ist, saying compassion should guide
manding accountability over the the response to the ongoing agitation.
NEET-UG paper leak has emerged “We would like to tell the Govern-
as a rallying point for opposition par- ment to show a little sensitivity and
ties, with leaders across the political initiate a dialogue,” she said, adding
spectrum joining him at Delhi’s Jantar that compassion was central to Sana-
Mantar even as the Delhi High Court tan Dharma.
directed authorities to monitor his Samajwadi Party MP Ruchi
health on a daily basis. Veera also accused the government of
The High Court, while express- remaining indifferent despite Wangc-
ing concern over Wangchuk’s dete- huk’s prolonged fast, while Shiv Sena
riorating condition after more than (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray al-
two weeks of fasting, observed that leged that the Centre was ignoring the
“the life of every citizen is precious concerns of India’s youth. Thackeray
and all efforts ought to be made by said Education Minister Dharmendra
the government authorities to save Pradhan should be held accountable
the same.” The court directed govern- for the NEET paper leak and ques-
ment doctors to conduct daily clini- tioned why he continued in office af-
cal monitoring of Wangchuk’s health ter such a major controversy. Farmer
and provide any medical intervention leader Rakesh Tikait also joined the
deemed necessary. protest to express solidarity with the
A Division Bench comprising demonstrators.
Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upa- The Congress also backed Wang-
dhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued chuk’s demands. Congress General
the directions while disposing of a Pub- SP MP Dimple Yadav meets environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk during Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venu-
lic Interest Litigation seeking interven- gopal said the party had been de-
tion over Wangchuk’s health. Solicitor his indefinite hunger strike and Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar in manding Pradhan’s resignation for
General Tushar Mehta informed the New Delhi on Thursday (ANI Photo/Naveen Sharma) several weeks and shared Wangchuk’s
court that Wangchuk was already be- concerns over accountability in the ed-
ing examined daily by government government of ignoring the concerns Minister Narendra Modi appoint ucation system.
doctors and assured the Bench that of students and failing to safeguard the Wangchuk as Union Education Min- The appeal to end the fast also
an additional medical team could integrity of India’s examination system. ister, arguing that the activist’s record came from the legal fraternity. The
be deployed if required. Recording Addressing protesters at Jantar as an education reformer made him Executive Committee of the Supreme
the assurance, the court ordered that Mantar, Kejriwal alleged that repeat- better suited to overhaul the country’s Court Bar Association adopted a
regular monitoring should continue ed examination paper leaks and flaws education system. At the same time, resolution expressing concern over
throughout the hunger strike. in the evaluation process had eroded he expressed doubt that such a move Wangchuk’s health and urging him to
Wangchuk, an engineer, educa- the confidence of millions of students. would happen, claiming the Prime discontinue the hunger strike.
tion reformer and climate activist from Referring to the NEET controversy, Minister would be reluctant to appoint The Bar body said Wangchuk’s
Ladakh, has been on an indefinite fast he claimed the government had failed someone capable of introducing “rev- movement had drawn national atten-
at Jantar Mantar to demand the res- to provide assurances that such inci- olutionary steps.” tion to issues concerning NEET and
ignation of Union Education Minister dents would not recur. Drawing parallels with Anna broader challenges in India’s educa-
Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged “Exam papers are being leaked Hazare’s anti-corruption movement tion system, while highlighting the
irregularities in national competitive constantly, day after day. There are in 2011, Kejriwal warned that ignor- need for greater transparency, fairness
examinations, including the high-pro- irregularities in the papers and flaws ing the demands of students could and institutional accountability. It ob-
file NEET paper leak controversy. in the evaluation process,” Kejriwal have political consequences in the served that the country needed Wang-
As the protest entered its nine- said. “When the NEET paper leaked, 2029 general elections. “I want to tell chuk’s continued leadership rather
teenth day, Aam Aadmi Party nation- 20 students committed suicide, yet the the government: either listen to the than risking his life and resolved to
al convener and former Delhi Chief government took no measures to as- voice of the youth, or these very young extend legal and research assistance
Minister Arvind Kejriwal intensified sure anyone that leaks wouldn’t recur.” people will throw you out of power in to initiatives promoting reforms in ed-
his attack on the Centre, accusing the Kejriwal also proposed that Prime 2029,” he said. ucational governance.

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