Arvind Kejriwal Backs Sonam Wangchuk for Education Minister, Urges Centre to Address Students’ Concerns
New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has thrown his support behind education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, saying he should replace Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and lead the country’s education system.
Kejriwal made the remarks on Thursday during a visit to Jantar Mantar, where Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike over alleged irregularities in national examinations, particularly the NEET medical entrance exam. The activist has been demanding comprehensive reforms to ensure transparency and accountability in India’s examination system.
Speaking to supporters, Kejriwal said repeated examination paper leaks have shattered the confidence of students and affected the future of millions of young people.
“Every year, question papers get leaked, and students are the ones who suffer. The government must listen to the voices of students and respond to Sonam Wangchuk’s concerns,” he said.
In a post shared in Hindi, Kejriwal went a step further, stating that Sonam Wangchuk should be appointed as India’s Education Minister in place of Dharmendra Pradhan.
The AAP leader also recalled his participation in the 2011 anti-corruption movement led by social activist Anna Hazare at Jantar Mantar. Drawing a comparison, he said governments that ignore public concerns and become arrogant eventually lose the trust of the people.
“Coming here reminded me of April 4, 2011. Three years later, that government lost power because it failed to listen to the people,” Kejriwal said.
He praised Wangchuk for risking his own health to fight for students across the country and lauded the young protesters who have joined the movement demanding a fair and transparent examination process.
Wangchuk began his indefinite fast on June 28 as part of a larger protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been demonstrating at Jantar Mantar for over 25 days while demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The organisation has also announced a “Chalo Sansad” march to Parliament on July 20, coinciding with the start of the Monsoon Session.
As the hunger strike entered its 19th day, doctors reported that Wangchuk had lost more than nine kilograms. Medical teams monitoring his condition described his health as critical, noting concerns over his blood pressure, blood sugar levels and signs of muscle breakdown despite some improvement in ketone levels.
Despite growing appeals from supporters and public figures, Wangchuk has refused to end his fast. In a video message released on Wednesday, he said his medical reports did not indicate immediate danger and urged supporters to focus on mobilising for the July 20 march rather than asking him to call off the protest.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) appealed to Wangchuk to end his hunger strike, saying the country needs him “alive, active and engaged” rather than risking his life. SCBA President Vikas Singh personally met the activist and handed over a letter requesting him to prioritise his health.
The Delhi High Court has also directed authorities to closely monitor Wangchuk’s health and ensure he receives immediate medical attention whenever required. Observing that every citizen’s life is valuable, the court instructed both the Centre and the Delhi government to continue providing necessary medical care during the protest.
The issue has drawn nationwide attention, with political leaders, activists and civil society members continuing to debate the demand for reforms in India’s examination system while expressing concern over Wangchuk’s deteriorating health.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
