CJP Protest: Sonam Wangchuk Begins Hunger Strike To Demand Dharmendra Pradhan Resignation

Sonam Wangchuk's decision to begin an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on 28 June 2026 has pushed the education reform protest in Delhi into a wider national frame, bringing student groups, farmer organisations and civil society campaigners onto one platform. The protest, led by the Cockroach Janata Party, is demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks.

The agitation is centred on calls for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, strict action against those accused in paper leak cases, and broader reforms in India's examination system. The protest began on 20 June at Jantar Mantar, where Wangchuk had indicated that he would sit on an indefinite fast if the government did not act within a week.

Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike adds weight to protest

Wangchuk, a Ladakh-based social activist and education reform advocate, is among the most recognisable public figures associated with the protest. His participation is significant because the agitation is no longer limited to party-led demonstrations or student mobilisation. It now carries the profile of a national-level education accountability campaign.

According to Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke, Wangchuk had set a one-week deadline on 20 June for the government to fix responsibility for alleged irregularities in the education system. Dipke said the hunger strike was being launched because the protesters believe no concrete action has been taken so far.

The movement has been positioned by its organisers as a campaign for students whose academic and career prospects are affected when entrance tests or recruitment examinations face allegations of leaks, malpractice or administrative failure. In India, such examinations often decide access to higher education, public employment and professional advancement.

Student leaders join Jantar Mantar fast

Several student leaders from the All India Students Association are expected to join Wangchuk in the hunger strike. Those named by the organisers include AISA National President Neha, JNU Students' Union Joint Secretary Danish Ali, AISA Uttar Pradesh President Manish, Delhi University student activist Deepak, JNU student activist Rishikesh and Ambedkar University student activist Aamin.

The student groups backing the protest have described the campaign as a fight for a fair examination system, transparency and the future of lakhs of young candidates. Their participation is important because examination-related controversies often translate into direct financial and emotional pressure on families, especially those spending heavily on coaching, travel and application fees.

For many households, competitive examinations are linked not only to education but also to long-term economic mobility. A disrupted or disputed exam cycle can delay admissions, recruitment and income prospects. This makes the protest relevant beyond campuses, particularly for families that treat public examinations as a route to secure employment and upward mobility.

Farmer groups plan Khap Panchayat in Delhi

The Cockroach Janata Party has claimed that more than 650 farmer organisations from across India have extended support to the movement. Party spokesperson Deepak Balyan said farmers were joining the struggle with concern for their children's future. A large Khap Panchayat is being planned in Delhi to discuss the next stage of the protest.

The entry of farmer groups could expand the agitation's social base. Farmer mobilisation has played a major role in recent national protests, and its involvement may bring greater visibility to a campaign that began around education reforms. The organisers believe the convergence of students, farmers and civil society voices will increase pressure on the government.

The use of a Khap Panchayat format also signals an attempt to take the issue beyond urban student circles. Such gatherings often draw participation from community networks, especially in north India. In this case, the stated purpose is to deliberate on strategies for strengthening the demand for accountability in the education system.

What the protesters are demanding

The central demands include Pradhan's resignation, the arrest of all accused persons in paper leak cases, transparency in examination processes, wider education reforms and measures to protect students' futures. The protesters have said the hunger strike and sit-in will continue until the government takes what they describe as concrete decisions.

The demand for ministerial accountability has become a recurring theme in recent education-related protests. Opposition leaders and student organisations have repeatedly criticised the handling of examination controversies, while government agencies have generally stressed procedural action, investigations and corrective measures when irregularities are reported.

Examination integrity is a high-stakes governance issue in India. A single flawed test can affect thousands of candidates, trigger litigation, delay admissions and create uncertainty for institutions. It can also raise costs for families if examinations are postponed, cancelled or repeated. This explains why student protests around paper leaks often gain wider public support.

At Jantar Mantar, the immediate focus will be on the health and duration of Wangchuk's fast, the scale of farmer participation and the response from the Union government. The protest has already moved from a single-issue demonstration to a broader campaign connecting education, accountability and the aspirations of families across the country.