New Delhi: Amid growing concern over the health of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 19 days, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal visited him on Thursday.
Wangchuk began his hunger strike as part of the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) protest over alleged examination paper leaks and its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Expressing solidarity with the protest, Kejriwal urged the Union government to listen to the concerns of students, youth and Wangchuk, saying repeated examination paper leaks cannot be ignored.
"Every year, exam papers get leaked, and the youth pay the price. I appeal to the government to listen to the students and Wangchuk," the former Delhi chief minister said.
He also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and suggested that Wangchuk should be made the country's education minister.
Recalling his own experience, Kejriwal said, "While coming here today, I was reminded of April 4, 2011, when I sat at this very place with Anna Hazare during the anti-corruption movement. Three years later, that government lost power because it failed to listen and allowed arrogance to overtake accountability."
Kejriwal said young people from across the country had united to demand reforms in the examination system and praised them for raising their voice in favour of a fair and transparent education system.
Praising Wangchuk, he said the activist was fighting not for himself but for students, young people and children across the country.
Referring to Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike, Kejriwal said he had put his own life at stake for the cause and expressed admiration for everyone participating in the movement, including those who had faced persecution and other hardships.
The Congress on Thursday appealed to Sonam Wangchuk to end his indefinite hunger strike, asserting that "his concerns are our concerns" and promising to continue demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal said, "Shri Sonam Wangchuk has now been on a hunger strike for 19 days, demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister. The Indian National Congress has been making this very demand for over a month and a half."
"We share the anguish and outrage that Shri Wangchuk ji feels, especially due to the lack of accountability within the Modi government for the collapse of the examination system," Venugopal said in a post on X.
"In view of his health condition, we appeal to Shri Wangchuk to end his fast. His concerns are our concerns and those of other Opposition parties as well. Rest assured, we will continue to confront the Modi government and demand the Education Minister's resignation," he added.
Earlier, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said the party had been demanding Pradhan's resignation for the past two months.
He added that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi had raised the issue on June 17 in Kota and would reiterate the demand during his interaction with students in Dehradun on Friday.
Meanwhile, Wangchuk has lost more than nine kilograms during the 19 days of his hunger strike. Doctors have warned that he has entered a critical stage and that the prolonged fast could begin affecting his vital organs.
In a video message released late Wednesday night, Wangchuk ruled out ending his fast despite appeals from political leaders and supporters, saying that doing so without any response from the government would send the wrong message.
Instead, he urged people to strengthen the Cockroach Janata Party's proposed Parliament march on July 20.