Environmentalist and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Sunday (June 28, 2026), extending support to an ongoing protest demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged failures and irregularities in the country’s examination system.
The protest, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has been underway since June 20. Demonstrators have been raising concerns about examination-related controversies and seeking accountability from the Education Ministry.
Before commencing the hunger strike, Wangchuk visited Rajghat along with CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Following the visit, he joined the protest site and announced his fast, stating that the movement is aimed at securing justice for students and pushing for reforms in the education system.
Meanwhile, a dispute emerged over basic facilities at the protest venue. Dipke alleged that water and sanitation services at Jantar Mantar were withdrawn after Wangchuk declared his hunger strike. However, Delhi Police rejected the claim, calling it misleading. Officials clarified that the police do not manage or maintain such facilities and therefore had no role in their availability.
The protest gained momentum throughout the day as several social groups, including farmer representatives, expressed support. Six student activists also joined Wangchuk’s hunger strike, strengthening the student-led dimension of the movement.
Addressing supporters from the stage, Wangchuk said he was encouraged to learn that young people were joining the fast in solidarity. He acknowledged their participation and extended his support to students standing up for educational reforms.
The All India Students’ Association (AISA), which had earlier backed the protest, formally announced that six of its members would participate in the hunger strike. Those joining include Danish Ali, Joint Secretary of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union; Hrishikesh, President of Barak Hostel at JNU; Aameen, a former student council member of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi; Neha, AISA’s National President; Manish, AISA’s Uttar Pradesh President; and Deepak, Vice President of AISA’s Delhi University unit.
In a statement, AISA said the students were joining the hunger strike in solidarity with Wangchuk and would continue to campaign for the resignation of the Education Minister, the withdrawal of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and the dissolution of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
