Education – Congress Extends Support to Sonam Wangchuk During NEET Protest

Education – Congress leader Pawan Khera visited activist Sonam Wangchuk and members of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Friday, expressing the party’s support for their ongoing demonstration over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. The protest has drawn attention from several opposition leaders, with participants demanding greater accountability in the country’s examination system.

Congress Backs Ongoing Demonstration

The Cockroach Janata Party has continued its protest for more than 25 days, calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The group alleges that paper leaks and other examination-related lapses affected the credibility of the NEET examination. Demonstrators have maintained that those responsible should be held accountable and that measures should be introduced to strengthen the integrity of national-level entrance tests.

Sonam Wangchuk Continues Indefinite Fast

Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest on June 28 and has remained on an indefinite hunger strike since then. His participation has increased public attention on the agitation and prompted several political leaders to visit the protest site. Concerns over Wangchuk’s health have also grown as the fast continues, leading opposition parties to urge him to consider ending the strike while assuring continued support for the issues he has raised.

Opposition Leaders Visit Jantar Mantar

Pawan Khera’s visit came a day after former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav met Wangchuk and the protesters. During her visit, Yadav appealed to the central government to open discussions with Wangchuk and address the demands presented by the CJP. She also criticized the Union government, alleging that it had not responded adequately despite the prolonged protest and concerns linked to the alleged NEET paper leak controversy.

Congress Reiterates Demand for Minister’s Resignation

The Congress has consistently maintained that the Education Minister should step down over the alleged failures surrounding the examination process. On Thursday, Congress General Secretary K. C. Venugopal said the party had been demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation for more than a month. According to him, the issue reflects broader concerns regarding the functioning and accountability of the country’s examination system.

Venugopal also expressed solidarity with Wangchuk’s concerns, stating that the opposition shares the disappointment and anger over what it describes as a lack of accountability. At the same time, he appealed to the activist to end his hunger strike due to concerns about his health, while assuring that the party would continue raising the issue and pressing for action from the government.

Focus Remains on Examination Reforms

The protest has become one of the prominent opposition-led campaigns centred on examination transparency and governance. Political leaders from multiple parties have continued to visit the protest site, highlighting demands for improved safeguards in competitive examinations and greater institutional accountability.

Meanwhile, the Union government has faced sustained criticism from opposition parties over the handling of the alleged NEET examination irregularities. The debate has kept examination reforms and student welfare at the centre of the national political discussion, with protesters insisting that meaningful action is necessary to restore confidence in the examination process.