ISLAMABAD: A protest over reported irregularities in India’s national examination system has entered its 15th day, with activist Sonam Wangchuk on the seventh day of a hunger strike as part of the same movement.
The "Cockroach Janta Party", which is leading the protests, says it is raising unanswered questions about the handling of the education system. “How much longer will the Prime Minister wait before removing Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan?” the party’s founder Abhijeet Dipke wrote on his personal social media account.
Dipke said Wangchuk has lost more than five kilograms during the hunger strike. He reported the activist’s blood pressure at 110/75 mm Hg, pulse rate at 72 beats per minute, and blood sugar level at 61 mg/dL in posts on social media.
“His condition is worsening with every passing hour,” he said.
Call for minister's resignation
The protest began on June 20 over reported irregularities in India’s national examination system, including the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), according to Press Trust of India.
It has continued for two weeks. Protesters are demanding the resignation of the education minister.
The Indian government has not issued an official response.
Six students linked to the All India Students’ Association are also continuing an indefinite hunger strike at a separate protest site. According to National Herald India, their blood sugar levels have fallen to what medical sources describe as dangerous levels, with one student recording 50 mg/dL and another 59 mg/dL.
Dipke questioned why “Dharmendra Pradhan is so important to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that despite the deaths of students connected to examination failures, the government refuses to remove him.”
The protests have drawn support from opposition political figures and activists.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary MA Baby visited the protest site, according to Press Trust of India. Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan and social activist Yogendra Yadav have also expressed solidarity.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra also visited the protest site in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on Friday, according to Times of India.
“His birthday cake can’t be baked with the blood of our children,” she said, referring to the education minister’s June 26 birthday.
Dipke has directly blamed the education minister for student deaths, saying that Pradhan “has the blood of more than 17 students on his hands,” as reported by Times of India.
He rejected earlier remarks in which Pradhan reportedly described protesters as the “B team of terrorists.”.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has identified errors in examination papers following the protests.
According to the New Indian Express, one Physics question had no correct option and will be withdrawn, with all candidates receiving full marks. Another question reportedly had two correct answers, both of which will be accepted in scoring.
As of Friday, there has been no official state from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government addressing Wangchuk’s condition or the protesters’ demands.
