'Make Sonam Wangchuk education minister': Arvind Kejriwal joins Jantar Mantar protest, seeks Dharmendra Pradhan's ouster

Times of India Published Jul 16, 2026 Reviewed Jul 16, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors

Arvind Kejriwal, former Delhi chief minister and AAP national convener, demanded the removal of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and endorsed Sonam Wangchuk as his replacement during a protest at Jantar Mantar on Thursday.

Sonam Wangchuk, an educator and climate activist, began an indefinite hunger strike on June 28 and, as of the 19th consecutive day, had lost more than 9 kg, bringing his weight to 56.9 kg, according to his attending physician Dr Satish Lamba.

more than 9 kg · Sonam Wangchuk56.9 kg · Sonam Wangchuk80 mg/dL · Sonam Wangchuk's blood sugar level72 beats per minute · Sonam Wangchuk's pulse105 mmHg · Sonam Wangchuk's systolic blood pressure (lying down)61 mmHg · Sonam Wangchuk's diastolic blood pressure (lying down)101 mmHg · Sonam Wangchuk's systolic blood pressure (sitting)65 mmHg · Sonam Wangchuk's diastolic blood pressure (sitting)

Dr Satish Lamba, Sonam Wangchuk's attending physician, warned that his indefinite hunger strike entering its 19th day poses risk of multi-organ complications due to progression into the second stage of prolonged starvation.

Arvind Kejriwal stated that 20 students committed suicide following the NEET exam paper leak and accused the government of taking no measures to prevent recurrence.

20 students · students who committed suicide

NEW DELHI: Former Delhi chief minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday threw his weight behind educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike over the NEET fiasco, joining him at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar and sharing the stage with Wangchuk and Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke.Backing Wangchuk's protest, Kejriwal demanded the removal of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and went a step further by endorsing Wangchuk as his replacement.In a post on X, Kejriwal wrote: "Sonam Wangchuk should be appointed as the country's education minister by removing Dharmendra Pradhan."Addressing supporters at the protest site, Kejriwal accused the Centre of repeatedly failing to prevent exam paper leaks and ignoring the concerns of students.He said, "Exam papers are being leaked constantly, day after day.

There are irregularities in the papers and flaws in the evaluation process... When the NEET paper leaked, 20 students committed suicide, yet the government took no measures to assure anyone that leaks wouldn't recur. Further leaks followed the NEET incident, and the CBSE evaluation system was compromised, yet no action was taken against the company involved.""It appears the government is consumed by arrogance.

I want to tell the government: either listen to the voice of the youth, or these very young people will throw you out of power in 2029... I urge the Prime Minister and the country's 1.4 billion citizens to desire that Sonam Wangchuk be appointed as the education minister in his place," former Delhi CM added.Kejriwal said recurring paper leaks have shattered the confidence of students and parents, and urged the Centre to listen to the voices of young people as well as Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike demanding accountability over examination irregularities.Earlier in the day, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav also extended support to Sonam Wangchuk's protest and visited Jantar Mantar.Meanwhile, doctors treating Sonam Wangchuk have warned that his health is deteriorating rapidly as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 19th consecutive day.

His attending physician, Dr Satish Lamba, cautioned that the activist could face multi-organ complications if the fast continues.Wangchuk began his indefinite hunger strike on June 28, after joining a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). During a medical briefing, Dr Lamba said Wangchuk has lost more than 9 kg and now weighs 56.9 kg.

His condition is being monitored round the clock by a team of doctors."Today, on the 19th day of hunger strike, his total weight loss exceeds 9 kilograms. His blood sugar today is 80 mg/dL, and his pulse is 72 beats per minute. His blood pressure readings are 105/61 mmHg while lying down and 101/65 mmHg while sitting," Dr Lamba reported.Doctors said Wangchuk remains hydrated and mentally alert, but medical tests show that his body has entered the second stage of prolonged starvation, significantly increasing the risk of serious health complications if the hunger strike continues.Get the latest India news and live updates.

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