Protest at the AIDSO stage in Hassan condemning the action against Wangchuk

AIDSO activists staged a protest in Hassan on Saturday, condemning the Centre’s action against Sonam Wangchuk and his supporters who are on hunger strike in Delhi. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Activists of the All India Democratic Students Organization (AIDSO) staged a protest in Hassan on Saturday, condemning the central government’s move against Sonam Wangchuk and his supporters who are on hunger strike in Delhi.

Demonstrators gathered at Hemavathi Statue Circle in Hassan to protest the police action of forcibly taking away Mr. Wangchuk. They called on the central government to open a dialogue with the protesters about their demands.

AIDSO District President Chaithra UK said that there are nationwide protests demanding the resignation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over irregularities in the NEET-UG examination. According to her, the irregularities caused thousands of students to fear and some even ended their lives as a result.

Mr. Wangchuk and others organized a protest demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister. His health deteriorated on the 20th day of the hunger strike, but the government did not engage in dialogue with the protesters. This reflected the government’s disregard for democratic values, Ms. Chaithra said.

AIDSO District Secretary Sushma DS said that it is the duty of the ruling government to listen to the grievances of the public. Instead of answering the real questions raised by the protesters, the government resorted to the use of force, she said.

The protesters demanded that the Center should talk to the protesters, accept Mr. Pradhan’s resignation and abolish the National Testing Agency.

Published – 18 Jul 2026 19:12 IST