Sonam Wangchuk Begins Hunger Strike Over Exam Irregularities

Innovator and educator Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday, June 28, 2026, joining a protest demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in national competitive examinations, including the NEET paper leak. The protest, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), also calls for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Wangchuk commenced his fast after stating he would wait until June 27 for a government response to two key demands: ensuring accountability in the education system and providing greater autonomy and environmental safeguards for Ladakh. Having received no response, he proceeded with the hunger strike as announced. Before beginning, Wangchuk and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke visited Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. The protest commenced with a two-minute silence and was attended by hundreds of students, youth, and several farmer leaders.

The CJP has been staging a sit-in at Jantar Mantar since June 20. The party alleges that more than 21 students have died by suicide in connection with the examination controversy and the re-examination process, and it has set up a memorial...