‘Time for the government to take responsibility’: Sonam Wangchuk protest gains support in US, UK and Ireland | Today’s news
Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s ongoing hunger strike over alleged irregularities in the NEET exam has gained international support, with demonstrations taking place in the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland, even as the Center continues to try to resolve the protest through dialogue.
According to PTI, on Monday night in New York and San Jose, members of the US-based advocacy group Hindus for Human Rights staged demonstrations and expressed solidarity with Wangchuk and other protesters. Similar protests were also organized outside the Indian High Commission in London and the Indian Embassy in Dublin, the group said in a statement on Tuesday.
The protesters are demanding Pradhan’s resignation
Demonstrators gathered at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in New York’s Union Square, carrying placards in support of Wangchuk. They also raised slogans against the Indian government and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
“Our protests sent a clear message, whether in New York or London, San Jose or Dublin: Indian students deserve to be treated fairly and with dignity,” the advocacy group said in a statement.
“The youth of India deserve honest answers and a future they can believe in. Indian citizens deserve open dialogue and reforms and it is time the Indian government took responsibility,” it added.
Wangchuk continues his hunger strike
The demonstrations come as Wangchuk continues an indefinite hunger strike that began on June 28 demanding action over alleged irregularities in the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Center will hold another round of discussions with leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which is spearheading the protest. Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh to meet CJP representatives.
A CJP spokesman said the protesters remained open to dialogue and reiterated demands, including the withdrawal of cases against those involved in the July 20 demonstration and action on their broader demands related to the investigation controversy.
The Center agrees to hold a debate on NEET in the Lok Sabha
Earlier in the day, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the government agreed to hold a detailed discussion on the alleged NEET paper leak in the Lok Sabha. The center has also asked for an all-party meeting to decide on the rules, date and duration of the hearing.
On Tuesday, Wangchuk was shifted from Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital to Gurugram’s Medanta Hospital on the orders of the Delhi High Court. Later that evening, Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh visited him at the hospital to inquire about his health.
