CPI(M) protests in Kalaburagi over Sonam Wangchuk detention, NEET irregularities

Members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] held a protest at SVP Circle in Kalaburagi on Sunday, July 19, 2026, to condemn the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.

During the protest, demonstrators burnt an effigy depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Pradhan, and symbolically broke an earthen pot to express their opposition to what they described as the Union Government's policies. The CPI(M) district secretary, K. Neela, addressed the crowd, alleging that police had forcibly removed Mr. Wangchuk, who was on a hunger strike demanding the Education Minister's resignation over the alleged NEET question paper leak. She described the police action as an attack on democratic rights and criticised the Centre for allegedly refusing to engage in dialogue with the protesters.

Ms. Neela also stated that the Union Government had failed to ensure transparent and leak-proof examinations. She claimed that the centralisation and commercialisation of education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 had contributed to examination irregularities. She demanded the resignation of Mr. Pradhan and called for the abolition of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the NEP 2020.

The protest saw participation from party leaders including Sudham Dhanni, Bhimashetty Yampalli, Pandurang, Shanta Ghanti, Chandamma Gola, Imam Saab, M.B. Sajjan, Padmini Kirangi, and members of the party's student and youth wings.