Congress Urges Wangchuk to End Fast, Pledges to Pursue Minister's Ouster

Activist Sonam Wangchuk continued his indefinite hunger strike for the 19th day on Thursday, prompting the Indian National Congress to appeal for him to end the fast over health concerns. The party assured that it would persist in demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, whom it holds responsible for alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.

Congress leader K.C. Venugopal wrote on social media platform X: “His concerns are our concerns and that of other Opposition parties as well.” He noted that the Congress has been demanding the minister’s resignation for over a month and a half, sharing the activist’s “anguish and outrage” over the lack of accountability within the Modi government, particularly regarding the collapse of the examination system.

“Rest assured, we will continue to confront the Modi government and demand the Education Minister’s resignation,” Venugopal added.

The Congress statement came hours after the Delhi High Court directed the Centre and the Delhi government to ensure daily clinical monitoring of Wangchuk’s medical condition and prompt intervention if needed. The court observed: “While noticing the assurances given by the Solicitor General, we only observe that the life of any citizen is precious and efforts ought to be made by the government authorities to save the same.” The court closed the public interest litigation with this order.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has been holding a protest at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for over 25 days demanding Pradhan’s resignation. Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and began his indefinite fast shortly thereafter.