Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday began an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in support of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ongoing protest over alleged examination irregularities and the NEET-UG paper leak. Hundreds of farmers, khap leaders, students and youth groups joined the sit-in, which began on June 20 and is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Protest organisers also alleged that Delhi Police had cut off the water supply at the protest site and that several farmer leaders were placed under house arrest to prevent them from joining the demonstration. Delhi Police has not officially responded to these latest allegations.
Wangchuk Joins Indefinite Fast
Wangchuk began his fast with a two-minute silence, calling for accountability and transparency in the conduct of public examinations. Addressing protesters, he said the movement was about protecting the aspirations of millions of young people whose futures depend on a fair examination system.
Farmers’ unions, khap representatives and student groups gathered at Jantar Mantar to express solidarity, describing the protest as a wider fight for justice and institutional accountability.
Allegations Over Protest Conditions
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that authorities had disconnected the water supply to public toilets and other facilities at the protest venue, making conditions difficult for demonstrators observing the sit-in. He also claimed that several farmer leaders from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh were placed under house arrest to stop them from travelling to Delhi and participating in the protest.
While Delhi Police has previously stated that it has facilitated peaceful demonstrations and denied reports of filing an FIR against protesters, it has not issued any official statement on the allegations regarding water supply disruption or the alleged restrictions on farmer leaders.
Growing Support From Civil Society
The protest has drawn support from students, professionals, volunteers and several civil society organisations over the past week. Community kitchens and volunteers have continued to provide food, drinking water and logistical assistance to those gathered at Jantar Mantar.
Organisers have maintained that the agitation will remain peaceful and democratic, urging supporters to continue raising their demands through non-violent means despite the challenges they claim to be facing at the protest site.
Background To The Protest
The Cockroach Janta Party launched the protest on June 20 over alleged examination irregularities, with a particular focus on the NEET-UG paper leak controversy. The group has demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging administrative failures in safeguarding the integrity of competitive examinations.
The protest has since evolved into a broader campaign seeking greater transparency, stronger accountability mechanisms and reforms to restore public confidence in India’s examination system.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democracy, and ensuring that demonstrators have access to basic necessities and the freedom to assemble safely is as important as addressing the concerns that bring them to the streets. Allegations regarding disruption of essential services or restrictions on peaceful participants should be examined transparently, while demands relating to examination integrity deserve a timely and credible response from the authorities.
Constructive dialogue, accountability and respect for democratic rights remain essential to rebuilding public trust. How can institutions better safeguard both citizens’ right to peaceful dissent and young people’s faith in a fair and transparent examination system?
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Delhi Police has cut off sanitation facility at Jantar Mantar after Sonam Wangchuk announced his hunger strike.
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) June 28, 2026
No water connection and hygiene measures.
Despite repeated pleas and telling them about Wangchuk ji’s age and health concerns, the Police is not cooperating and we…
