Shimla, Jul 17 (PTI) As climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike in Delhi entered a critical stage on the 20th day, among his growing number of supporters were hundreds of youths, women, retired government officials and civil society members in Solan who observed a one-day symbolic hunger strike on Friday.
The protesters gathered at the Children’s Park here and slammed the Union Education Minister Dharmedra Pradhan for his alleged apathy in the face of “recurring” paper leaks in the country and the lack of engagement with the ongoing students’ movement at Jantar Mantar in the national capital.
The protest here was organised by several local organisations, including the Jagruk Yuva Sangathan and Jagruk Nagarik Manch.
In support of the scheduled march to Parliament on July 20 to demand the minister’s resignation, the protesters here also decided to hold a massive demonstration in Solan on the same day.
Speaking to the media, Advocate Manoj Verma said people from various city-based organisations and surrounding regions gathered in Solan at the call given by the Jagruk Yuva Sangathan.
He said the country’s education system has been turned into a commercial racket, with the “education mafia” remaining constantly active.
“While no one else seems willing to discuss the need to dismantle this mafia, people here are observing a one-day hunger strike today to support Sonam Wangchuk, who has stepped forward to address this issue,” he said.
He added that the protesters were supporting Wangchuk because he is articulating the pain and grievances that others are unable to bring to the public eye.
“Lakhs of students spend years preparing for exams and incur huge expenses, only to see the question papers get leaked when the time comes to take the test,” he said.
Chetna, a resident of Bilaspur, said she came to join the sit-in because she supports Wangchuk, adding that she echoes the fasting educator’s demand for the resignation of the education minister.
She said the paper leaks have been occurring “constantly across the country”.
“Students work hard all year, attend coaching classes and spend lakhs of rupees. When papers are leaked, they are driven to the brink of suicide,” she said.
Another protester, Shreya Sharma from Solan, said Pradhan seems “unconcerned and inattentive” regarding the state of the country’s education system.
She argued that if the minister is unaware of who is protesting at Jantar Mantar, how long they have been there, or the cause behind the protest, then “he should not hold the position” of the education minister.
Savita Bhardwaj, a local resident who joined the strike, emphasised the need to take concrete steps to strengthen the education system so that the younger generation can achieve their goals without the threat of paper leaks. PTI BPL — PRK
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