17 July,2026 12:18 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Congress leader Pawan Khera meets activist Sonam Wangchuk. Pic/PTI
Congress leader Pawan Khera on Friday met climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and members of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, where they have been protesting over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The protest has entered its 25th day, with Wangchuk continuing his indefinite hunger strike after joining the agitation on June 28.
Khera visited the protest site at Jantar Mantar and expressed the Congress party's support for Wangchuk and the demonstrators.
The Cockroach Janata Party has been staging a sit-in demanding accountability over the alleged paper leaks and examination irregularities linked to NEET. The protesters have called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The Congress has consistently backed the demand for greater accountability over the alleged examination irregularities and has also voiced concern over Wangchuk's health during his prolonged fast.
Wangchuk joined the protest on June 28 and has remained on an indefinite hunger strike since then.
Earlier, the Congress appealed to the activist to end his fast, citing concerns over his health, while assuring him that the party would continue raising the issue both inside and outside Parliament.
The party has maintained that the concerns raised by Wangchuk and the protesting students deserve attention and action from the Centre.
Khera's visit comes a day after former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav met Wangchuk and the protesters at Jantar Mantar.
During her visit, Yadav urged the Union government to initiate a dialogue with Wangchuk and address the demands raised by the protesters.
She also accused the BJP-led central government of failing to respond despite the ongoing hunger strike and concerns surrounding the alleged NEET paper leak.
The protest has increasingly drawn support from opposition leaders, who have sought action over the alleged examination irregularities.
On Thursday, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said the party had been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for more than a month.
"We share the anguish and outrage that Shri Wangchuk ji feels, especially due to the lack of accountability within the Modi Government - for the collapse of the examination system in particular.
"In view of his health condition, we appeal to Shri Wangchuk to end his fast. His concerns are our concerns and that of other Opposition parties as well. Rest assured, we will continue to confront the Modi government and demand the Education Minister's resignation," Venugopal had said on X.
The Congress has reiterated that it will continue pressing for accountability over the alleged examination irregularities while urging Wangchuk to prioritise his health.
The agitation at Jantar Mantar has centred on allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in the NEET examination process. The protesters have demanded accountability from the Union government and action against those responsible for the alleged lapses.
