Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday called for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to be replaced by activist Sonam Wangchuk.
Kejriwal made the demand during a visit to Jantar Mantar, where Wangchuk has been staging a protest over alleged irregularities in national examinations, with a particular focus on the NEET medical entrance test.
"Sonam Wangchuk should be appointed as the country's Education Minister by removing Dharmendra Pradhan," Kejriwal said in a post in Hindi.
Referring to repeated allegations of examination paper leaks, Kejriwal said, "Every year, exam papers get leaked and youth pay the price," he said. "I appeal to the government to listen to students and Wangchuk."
The AAP leader also recalled his participation in the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare at the same venue in 2011, drawing a comparison with the current protest.
"While coming here today, I was reminded of April 4, 2011," Kejriwal said. "Three years later, that government lost power because it failed to listen and allowed arrogance to overtake accountability."
Kejriwal lauded Wangchuk for undertaking an indefinite hunger strike in support of students across the country and praised the young protesters demanding a fair and transparent examination system.
Wangchuk began his fast on June 28 as part of a broader campaign launched by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been demonstrating at Jantar Mantar for more than 25 days while demanding Pradhan's resignation. The organisation has also announced a "Chalo Sansad" march to Parliament on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session.
On the 19th day of his hunger strike, Wangchuk has lost more than nine kilograms, with doctors monitoring him at the protest site describing his condition as critical. According to the medical team, his blood sugar was measured at 80 mg/dL, pulse at 72 beats per minute, and blood pressure at 105/61 mmHg while lying down and 101/65 mmHg while sitting. They added that although ketone levels had declined from earlier readings, uric acid remained elevated, indicating muscle breakdown.
In a video message released on Wednesday night, Wangchuk dismissed appeals asking him to end his fast. He said medical assessments had not indicated any immediate danger and that he was fit to continue. He also urged supporters to concentrate on preparations for the July 20 march instead of persuading him to break the hunger strike.
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Thursday issued a formal appeal requesting Wangchuk to call off his fast. In a resolution, the association said his protest had awakened the national conscience but stressed that the country needs him "alive, active and engaged".
SCBA President Vikas Singh personally visited Jantar Mantar and handed Wangchuk a letter urging him to safeguard his health.
"India does not need you to die for a broken system. We need you to be alive, working and leading us from the front," the letter stated.
Separately, the Delhi High Court directed the authorities to conduct daily monitoring of Wangchuk's health and ensure medical intervention whenever necessary. The Centre and the Delhi government did not oppose the arrangement, while the court observed that "life of any citizen is precious".
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