Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 16: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday extended support to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and the ongoing youth-led protest at Jantar Mantar, urging the Centre to address the demonstrators' demands over the alleged irregularities in the 2026 NEET-UG examination.
According to a post by the Aam Aadmi Party on X, Kejriwal visited Jantar Mantar in solidarity with Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for the past 19 days.
Addressing the gathering, Kejriwal criticised the Central government and warned that ignoring the protest could have political consequences.
"Listen to the youth, the movement, and Sonam Wangchuk; otherwise, three years later, you (Central Government) will meet a 2014-like fate," Kejriwal said.
He also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and suggested that Wangchuk be appointed as the country's Education Minister.
"I also extend a proposal – Dharmendra Pradhan should resign, and the Prime Minister should make Sonam Wangchuk the Education Minister of the country," Kejriwal said.
"I suggest to the PM: remove Dharmendra Pradhan and make Sonam Wangchuk the Union Education Minister," he added.
Kejriwal's remarks came amid intensified protests over alleged irregularities in national-level competitive examinations and wider concerns relating to education policy.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court directed that Wangchuk's health condition be clinically monitored every day during his ongoing hunger strike.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia observed that "the life of every citizen is precious, and all efforts ought to be made by the government authorities to save the same."
The court further directed that any medical intervention considered necessary by government doctors should be provided without delay.
The directions were issued while disposing of a public interest litigation (PIL) expressing concern over Wangchuk's deteriorating health during his prolonged fast.
Wangchuk, an engineer, education reformer and climate activist from Ladakh, entered the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike on Thursday.
The protest is centred on the demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged irregularities in the 2026 NEET-UG examination and the alleged paper leak controversy.