Shillong, July 20: Dozens of youths on Monday staged a silent protest at Don Bosco Square in Shillong, expressing solidarity with the ongoing agitation led by the Collective for Justice and Peace (CJP) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over alleged examination irregularities and extending support to environmentalist and education activist Sonam Wangchuk.
Holding placards and observing a peaceful demonstration, the protesters voiced concern over what they described as repeated examination irregularities and the declining state of India’s education system.
They alleged that recurring paper leaks and poor governance have eroded students’ confidence in the examination process, while claiming that the concerns of students have not been adequately addressed by the Central Government.
The protesters also paid tribute to students who they said had lost their lives due to stress and trauma associated with examination-related issues, including the alleged NEET paper leak. They demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him responsible for the alleged failures in the examination system.
The gathering also expressed strong support for Sonam Wangchuk, describing his hunger strike as a call for greater transparency, accountability, and meaningful reforms in India’s education sector.
According to the protesters, Wangchuk’s campaign seeks comprehensive reforms in the education system and greater accountability from the authorities.
They said the key demands of the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar include the resignation of the Union Education Minister, an impartial and transparent investigation into the alleged examination paper leaks, and financial assistance for the families of students who reportedly died by suicide due to examination-related stress.
The protesters noted that Wangchuk’s hunger strike, which began on June 28, 2026, entered its 20th day, and alleged that he was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi on July 18 after his health deteriorated.
According to those participating in the Shillong protest, Wangchuk has stated that he will end his fast only if the Central Government takes concrete steps to address systemic issues in the education sector or if national political leaders visit him and assure that education reforms will be taken up in Parliament.
The protesters further claimed that the Central Government has not yet issued an official response to the demands raised by the movement.
Note: The allegations regarding examination irregularities, student deaths, and the government’s response reflect the claims made by the protesters and have not been independently verified.
