CJP Welcomes End of Sonam Wangchuk's Fast, Says Students' Protest Will Continue Until Education Minister Resigns
New Delhi, July 24: Reacting to Sonam Wangchuk's decision to end his 26-day hunger strike, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Dipke welcomed the development, saying it was a matter of relief that the noted education reform campaigner had decided to end his fast.
Debke said Wangchuk's life was "more precious than anything else" for the nation and for the future of India's education system.
"It is happy news that Sonam ji has ended his fast because his life is more precious than anything else for the country and for the country's education system. This is a welcome development," he said.
However, Debke asserted that the students' agitation was far from over. He said students would continue their sit-in protest until their key demands were met, particularly the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged failures in handling examination irregularities.
"The students are still on dharna and will continue to do so as long as Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan does not resign. This protest will continue until the demands of the CJP and the students are fulfilled," Debke said.
The statement comes shortly after Sonam Wangchuk ended his fast following assurances from the Central Government and Members of Parliament across party lines that the issue of accountability in the country's examination system would be discussed in Parliament. The government also assured compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide in the wake of the NEET paper leak controversy and stated that no cases would be registered against students and youth who participated in peaceful protests.
Despite Wangchuk ending his fast, student organisations and supporters indicated that their movement for accountability and reforms in the examination system would continue until they see concrete action on their demands, including fixing responsibility for examination failures and ensuring systemic reforms.
