'Sack Dharmendra Pradhan, save Sonam Wangchuk': Shiv Sena (UBT) in 'Saamana'

Shiv Sena UBT has launched a sharp attack on the Centre over its handling of educationrelated issues and its response to activist Sonam Wangchuks ongoing hunger strike In an editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamana the party demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan alleging failures in addressing the NEETUG examination controversy and accusing the government of ignoring Wangchuks deteriorating healthThe editorial also appealed to opposition parties and young people across the country to support Wangchuks protest at Delhis Jantar Mantar where he has been on an indefinite hunger strike for the past 15 daysEditorial raises concerns over Wangchuks healthThe editorial expressed concern over Wangchuks physical condition and criticised the Centre for not engaging with him despite his prolonged protestHis body is emaciated his breathing is laboured and his voice has grown faint Yet PM Modi continues to shield his inactive incompetent Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Sonam Wangchuks life must be protected at all costsThe Shiv Sena UBT claimed that Wangchuks agitation is aimed at safeguarding the interests of students and questioned why the Prime Minister had not initiated a dialogue with the activistThe editorial also criticised the Prime Minister for undertaking overseas visits while according to the party failing to address concerns raised by the hunger strikeNEET controversy at the centre of criticismThe editorial linked Wangchuks protest to the controversy surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test NEET alleging that repeated question paper leaks and examinationrelated irregularities had adversely affected the future of medical aspirantsIt alleged that competitive examinations had been reduced to a horsetrading market where question papers were illegally sold for large sums of money The editorial further claimed that investigations into paper leak cases had exposed links between the accused and the BJP family though it did not provide evidence to support the allegationThe party also criticised the reported proposal to involve the armed forces in securing examination papers arguing that institutional reforms were needed insteadDemand for Education Ministers resignationThe editorial held Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan responsible for what it described as shortcomings in the higher education systemAccording to the Shiv Sena UBT Pradhans appointments of vicechancellors had weakened Indias higher education institutionsDharmendra Pradhan is no titan of education He completely lacks the visionary leadership of his illustrious predecessors like Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Maulana Abul Kalam Azad PV Narasimha Rao or Arjun Singh the editorial statedThe party reiterated its demand that Pradhan step down from his postEditorial compares response with Anna Hazare movementDrawing a comparison with the 2011 anticorruption movement led by Anna Hazare the editorial said the then UPA government had engaged in discussions with the veteran activist during his hunger strikeIt also accused the BJP of adopting a different approach now that it is in powerBack then the BJP actively supported Annarsquos movement loudly labelling it as public outrage and the voice of the people Today sitting comfortably in power they dismiss Wangchukrsquos genuine studentled protest as a political conspiracy This is nothing but pure hypocrisy the editorial saidCall for nationwide mobilisationThe editorial concluded by urging opposition parties civil society and students to support Wangchuks protest and raise their voices over issues related to education and examination reformsIt also appealed to Anna Hazare to extend support to Wangchuks agitationIf Anna Hazarersquos spirit is alive he must stand by Wangchuk in Delhi The opposition must mobilise at Jantar Mantar and the youth of this nation for whose very future Wangchuk is risking his life must awaken from their slumber Chanting Jai Hind young citizens need to hit the streets break their silence and hold this government accountable Let Sonam Wangchuks fight become Indias collective struggle