Why have leaders like Sonam Wangchuk, Rahul Gandhi-Akhilesh Yadav, who are on hunger strike for 17 days, kept their distance, along with which opposition parties?

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on fast unto death for 17 days at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over NEET (NEET-UG) paper leak, reform in the examination system and issues related to the safety of students. This movement is being run against the future of the students, transparency in the examination system and the alleged shortcomings of the education system. During the fast, constant concern is being expressed about Wangchuk’s health.

Sonam Wangchuk’s fast unto death is part of the student movement run by ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP). CJP is running a movement demanding NEET paper leak, exam rigging and resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while Wangchuk is fasting unto death from the same platform.

Why are Congress and SP away from the stage?

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav have not yet reached Jantar Mantar and joined Wangchuk’s fast. However, both the leaders have been attacking the central government on different occasions regarding NEET paper leak and education system.

Rahul Gandhi has launched #ChhatronKiGoonj campaign on issues related to students, but till now he has not visited Wangchuk’s fast site and extended his support. Similarly, Akhilesh Yadav has also been demanding the resignation of the Education Minister in the paper leak case, but his direct presence has not been seen in this fast.

What to say on the absence of Rahul and Akhilesh?

Sonam Wangchuk did not criticize any leader by name, but said that she hoped that all political parties would come together on this issue. He said, “If there is a concern for children, then everyone will have to come forward. Preventing incidents like child suicide should be the biggest priority. Someone may come earlier or later, but everyone should be a part of this campaign. If someone does not come, that will also be a message to the public.”

Wangchuk also clarified that his platform is not that of any political party. According to him, “This platform is open to everyone. It has no political colour. The day I see politics in it, I will leave from here.”

It has also been said that if political parties do not get support, it will send a wrong message. In such a situation the public will give its verdict. I still hope that everyone will come. Some will come first and some later.

What is the official stand of Congress?

Rahul Gandhi himself has not reached the fast site, but many Congress leaders have expressed sympathy for the movement. Congress leader Alka Lamba launched a scathing attack on the Central Government and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and said that the future of the students is at stake. In his personal opinion, he also appealed to Sonam Wangchuk to end her hunger strike and join Rahul Gandhi’s #ChhatronKiGoonj campaign.

Although, this was a personal political suggestion of Alka Lamba, it cannot be considered an official decision of the Congress.

Which opposition parties openly supported?

So far, the most vocal support has been seen from Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Aam Aadmi Party.

Uddhav Thackeray spoke to Wangchuk on phone and expressed concern over his health and appealed to end the fast. He sent his party’s MP Arvind Sawant to Jantar Mantar and also appealed to Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and other opposition leaders to join the ‘Chalo Sansad March’ to be held on July 20.

Aam Aadmi Party’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh has also come out openly in support of the movement. He said that if at the age of 59, Sonam Wangchuk can fast unto death for the rights of students, then the youth of the country should also stand with her.

What is the opposition’s strategy on the Parliament march on 20th July?

Organizations associated with the movement have called for ‘Chalo Sansad March’ on July 20, the day of the beginning of the monsoon session of Parliament. Its objective is to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and to put pressure on the government to improve the examination system.

Shiv Sena (UBT) has announced a parallel protest in Maharashtra, while Aam Aadmi Party has talked about raising this issue inside and outside the Parliament. On the other hand, the picture is still not clear regarding the direct involvement of Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav.

Is the opposition completely united?

Almost all the opposition parties are criticizing the government on the issue of students and paper leak, but the presence of all the big leaders has not been seen yet on Sonam Wangchuk’s fast stage. In such a situation, Wangchuk’s appeal is that considering this not a political conflict but an issue of the future of the students, all parties should come forward unitedly.