16 July,2026 03:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
In a post on X, Aaditya Thackeray said the Centre`s response to Sonam Wangchuk`s protest reflected its lack of concern for the country`s youth. PIC/X
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday extended support to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite hunger strike, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre was insensitive to the concerns raised by the activist and more focused on "creating divisions" than addressing public issues, news agency ANI reported.
In a post on X, Thackeray said the Centre's response to Wangchuk's protest reflected its lack of concern for the country's youth.
"The insensitivity of the BJP government towards the issue for which Wangchuk66 is fasting in Delhi proves just one thing: this government has absolutely no concern for young India," he said.
Targeting Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader said he should be held accountable over the alleged National Eligibility Entrance Test (Undergraduate) 2026 paper leak.
"Their extremely simple demand is that Central Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan... should be held accountable. He should be removed from his position. Even after such a serious incident as the paper leak in the entrance exams for medical colleges, such an incompetent central minister would not have remained in office in any country," said Aaditya Thackeray.
Referring to recent controversies surrounding the alleged paper leak, ethanol policy and the Ram Mandir issue, he alleged that the BJP was using such matters to create divisions among people and retain power.
"Whether it's the paper leak, the ethanol issue, or the temple matter... the BJP has just one policy: to create divisions among the people and preserve its own power," he said.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Thursday directed that Wangchuk's medical condition be clinically monitored on a daily basis during his ongoing hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia observed that "the life of every citizen is precious and all efforts ought to be made by the government authorities to save the same".
The court also directed that any medical intervention required, based on the opinion of government doctors, be provided without delay.
The directions came while disposing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed over concerns regarding Wangchuk's deteriorating health during his prolonged fast.
Appearing for the Centre and the Delhi government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that Wangchuk's health was already being monitored daily by government doctors and medical experts. He also assured the bench that another medical team could be deployed if required.
The PIL, filed by Rakesh Kumar Sahni, sought directions to ensure regular medical monitoring and timely treatment in view of concerns over Wangchuk's health during the prolonged fast.
Wangchuk, an engineer, education reformer and climate activist from Ladakh, entered the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Thursday.
The protest is centred on the demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination and the high-profile paper leak controversy.
(With ANI inputs)
