Student Protest at Jantar Mantar on Day 15: Political Support Grows, One Hospitalised
The student protest at Jantar Mantar entered its 15th day on Saturday (July 4, 2026), drawing fresh political support from AAP MP Sanjay Singh and CPI(M) MP John Brittas. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk continued his hunger strike for the seventh day.
The All India Students' Association (AISA) said one of its fasting student leaders was hospitalised after her condition turned critical. JNUSU Joint Secretary Danish Ali was admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on Saturday evening after her blood sugar level dropped following seven days of fasting. AISA said she was receiving intravenous fluids. Five other AISA activists continued their indefinite hunger strike along with Mr. Wangchuk and other protesters.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Sanjay Singh accused the BJP government of ignoring students despite repeated examination controversies and questioned why BJP leaders had not visited the protest site. “All political parties are here expressing solidarity with a genuine demand of the youngsters of the country. Who is stopping BJP leaders from coming here and supporting the students?” he said. The AAP leader said the Opposition would raise the issue during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. “I want to tell the Prime Minister that he should find a solution, otherwise we will not let Parliament function,” Mr. Singh said. He also appealed to Delhi Police not to use force against the students.
CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, who came from Kerala to express solidarity, described the agitation as a nationwide struggle to protect the future of young people. “I have come from Kerala to express my solidarity with this protest. It is a spontaneous protest,” he said, alleging that the country has “never seen such an insensitive and irresponsible government”. He said almost every major examination conducted by the Union government had come under question and urged young people to lead the fight for democratic rights and public education.
Addressing the protesters, Mr. Wangchuk stressed the need for accountability. “If we are forcefully removed, it would be a blot on India internationally that peaceful protesters were removed,” he said, adding that the protesters were only demanding accountability in education.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke earlier said Mr. Wangchuk had lost five kilograms and that his condition was worsening. “How much longer will the Prime Minister wait before sacking Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan?” Mr. Dipke asked in a post on X, adding that the government would be responsible if anything happened to Mr. Wangchuk.
The protest group released an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to break his “resounding silence” over the agitation and hold Mr. Pradhan accountable for alleged examination paper leaks and student suicides. The letter said Mr. Wangchuk's hunger strike was intended to exert “moral pressure” on the government and questioned why there had been no response despite 15 days of protests. It also reiterated allegations that Delhi Police assaulted students and threw books, including those on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, B.R. Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh, during an attempt to set up a library at the protest site.
Late on Friday night, Mr. Wangchuk welcomed progress in talks between the Centre and representatives of the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance over Ladakh's demands and urged the government to now “pay attention to accountability in education”.
