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🇮🇳 India /Elections & Politics

‘Happy birthday, please resign’: Activist’s wish to minister amid protest

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • An activist marked the Union Education Minister's birthday with a protest demanding his resignation over alleged exam irregularities and the NEET paper leak.
  • The activist offered to provide the minister with a resignation letter as a birthday gift and criticized the government's handling of leaks and student suicides.
  • Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk announced he would begin a hunger strike if the government does not address concerns about the NEET paper leak by June 27.

As protests demanding his resignation entered their seventh day, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan received a pointed birthday wish from Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). At Jantar Mantar in Delhi, Dipke presented Pradhan with a whiteboard message: "Happy Birthday, Pradhan. Please resign." He added that the CJP could even provide the resignation letter as a gift, requiring only the minister's thumbprint.

A very happy birthday to you, Dharmendra Pradhan. Do us a favour and resign. As a birthday gift, we can even send you the resignation letter, you’ll only have to put your thumb on it.

— Abhijeet DipkeDuring a protest at Jantar Mantar, marking the Union Education Minister's birthday.

Dipke has been protesting at Jantar Mantar for seven days, calling for Pradhan's resignation due to alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and the NEET paper leak. He appeared before a committee regarding the withholding of the CJP's X account, questioning the lack of transparency. "Everything is confidential; you should have kept the NEET paper confidential as well. Why did that leak? These suicides would not have happened," Dipke stated.

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dipke questioned his ability to stop paper leaks, contrasting it with his claims of stopping the Russia-Ukraine war. Holding Pradhan responsible for student deaths, Dipke asserted, "Who is responsible for the suicides? It is Dharmendra Pradhan." At least 17 students have reportedly died by suicide in connection with the NEET paper leak issue.

Everything is confidential; you should have kept the NEET paper confidential as well. Why did that leak? These suicides would not have happened.

— Abhijeet DipkeQuestioning authorities about the withholding of the CJP's X account and comparing it to the NEET paper leak.

Dipke claimed the government has not reached out for talks, stating, "They are calling us terrorists instead." He questioned the government's response, asking, "Are we asking for votes? We are asking for justice. We are taxpayers, our parents are taxpayers, and you call us terrorists. Are you not ashamed?"

The PM cannot take a resignation but claims to have stopped the Russia-Ukraine war. Can he stop paper leaks?

— Abhijeet DipkeCriticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's actions and priorities.

Meanwhile, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk announced he would begin an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on June 28 if the government fails to respond to demands regarding the NEET paper leak by June 27. Wangchuk, speaking from Geneva, described Jantar Mantar as a global equivalent to the UN's demonstration area.

Who is responsible for the suicides? It is Dharmendra Pradhan.

— Abhijeet DipkeHolding the Union Education Minister accountable for student deaths.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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