‘Wangchuk to end fast if focus of Parliament is on education’
Sonam Wangchuk’s fast links education accountability, exam irregularities, and the right to peaceful protest in Delhi.
- Sonam Wangchuk began a hunger strike on 28 June over exam irregularities and later tied the protest to education accountability.
- Gitanjali J. Angmo said Sonam Wangchuk may end the hunger strike if political leaders meet him and assure parliamentary focus on education accountability.
- Delhi Police issued prohibitory orders against marches and assemblies beyond the designated protest site.
Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike has moved from a protest over examination irregularities to a wider demand for education accountability. His wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, said he may end the fast if political leaders meet him and assure that the Monsoon Session of Parliament will focus on the issue.
The protest began on 28 June after Wangchuk demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam irregularities. Wangchuk is now being monitored at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi.
The mobilisation around the fast also shows the protest dimension of the issue. Large crowds gathered at Jantar Mantar before the planned Cockroach Janta Party march to Parliament, while Delhi Police issued prohibitory orders against marches and assemblies beyond the designated protest site. Support rallies were also reported in several cities.
UPSC can frame the issue as a governance question on examination credibility, ministerial accountability, parliamentary attention to public concern, and the constitutional balance between peaceful protest and public order.
