Climate activist Wangchuk to join Delhi protest if minister doesn't resign by June 5
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk will join a protest in Delhi on June 6 if Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan does not resign by June 5.
- The protest, organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), demands Pradhan's resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET and CBSE exams.
- Wangchuk cited broader systemic issues in India's education system, beyond the recent exam controversies, as his reason for joining the demonstration.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk announced Tuesday he will join a protest in Delhi on June 6, demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Wangchuk stated he would participate if Pradhan does not resign by June 5, emphasizing that any "self-respecting Minister" should step down when "things go so wrong."
If not us, who? If not now, when? I will be joining the CJP members in Delhi on 6th June if nothing changes by 5th June. Any self respecting Minister should resign if things go so wrong... Not to mention the effect on millions of young lives and in fact the future of India.
The protest is being organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), whose founder Abhijeet Dipke announced he would return to India to lead a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Dipke stated the protest aims to address the NEET paper leak and the "hard work of lakhs of students that has been wasted."
We have been raising our voice for students who have committed suicide because of the NEET paper leak on social media for many days. For the hard work of lakhs of students that has been wasted, Dharmendra Pradhan should resign.
Wangchuk, however, framed his involvement as stemming from larger, systemic issues within India's education sector, extending beyond the immediate exam controversies. "Your reasons are the NEET and CBSE exams, but for me, it is a bigger issue," Wangchuk explained. He expressed disappointment with the lack of change in education over four decades, despite government policies like the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Viksit Bharat 2047, which he believes have good intentions but fall short in execution.
Your reasons are the NEET and CBSE exams, but for me, it is a bigger issue. For the past four decades, I have tried to improve education in government schools in remote areas. When I donโt see anything changing, I feel disappointed and I feel the need to do something.
Wangchuk rated the government "10 out of 10 for their intention" but questioned their actions, stating that the vision of a developed India by 2047 cannot be achieved without significant educational reform. He specifically called for the Prime Minister to consider the resignation of the education minister if "papers are leaked, and if something is not going on."
I would rate the government 10 out of 10 for their intention, but their actions will determine the scope of development. Looking at the last 3 to 4 education ministers does not convince me that we will have a developed nation.
Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.