In a major political move, Congress MP Pawan Khera visited activist Sonam Wangchuk, backing his hunger strike and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Key Takeaways

  • Congress MP Pawan Khera visited activist Sonam Wangchuk during his hunger strike.
  • The protest demands the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam paper leaks.
  • Sonia Gandhi directed the Congress leadership to support the movement.
  • Opposition parties are united in demanding systemic reforms in the national examination system.

The political landscape in New Delhi intensified on Friday as senior Congress leader and MP Pawan Khera visited activist Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar. Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike since June 28, protesting against the systemic failures in the country's examination framework and demanding the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Strategic Shift by Congress Leadership

This engagement follows a direct mandate from Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi. During a recent parliamentary party meeting ahead of the upcoming Monsoon Session, Gandhi reportedly urged the leadership to stand by Wangchuk. In a move that drew parallels to history, Gandhi recalled how former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi once traveled to Leh to intervene in a similar hunger strike led by Wangchuk's father, Sonam Wangyal, in 1984. This historical context underscores the gravity with which the Congress high command views the current unrest.

Read Also:Forum of Civil Pensioners’ Association Stages Demonstrations in Kanniyakumari and Thoothukudi

Demanding Accountability in Education

The protest, organized under the banner of the 'Cockroach Janta Party', focuses on the recurring menace of examination paper leaks which has shaken the confidence of millions of students across India. Wangchuk has emphasized that while a resignation is a starting point, the ultimate goal is a structural overhaul of the education system. He has called upon the government to facilitate a parliamentary debate during the Monsoon Session and to include young educationists in the reform process.

A United Opposition Front

Pawan Khera lashed out at the central government, labeling it 'insensitive' to the democratic language of protest. "We are deeply concerned about the health of Sonam Wangchuk and the students standing with him," Khera stated. The movement has gained significant momentum, with other major opposition players including the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT) extending their support, creating a formidable united front against the Modi administration's education policies.