CPI leaders Mahavir Singh Gill, Karaj Singh, Sewa Singh Uboke, Wazir Singh Paras, Dilbagh Singh Bamrah, Balkar Singh, Satnam Singh Bhullar, Gurdial Singh, Jagraj Singh, Rohit Sharma and several others staged a one-day hunger strike at Verka Dairy Chowk, Patti, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in support of prominent social activist Sonam Wangchuk.
Addressing the media, CPI leader Mahavir Singh Gill said the country was “plagued by corruption.” He alleged that question paper leaks were taking place even before major examinations begin, thereby excluding deserving and meritorious candidates from the selection process. He further said that such incidents had repeatedly occurred in various examinations, including those conducted by the UPSC, and recently the NEET exam paper was also allegedly leaked. He claimed that these developments had led to the suicide of 14 youths across the country.
The protestors sitting on hunger strike alleged that the leakage of question papers in high-level examinations for administrative posts was being facilitated by influential individuals within government offices and corporate circles. They said this practice was weakening the country’s administrative system by enabling the selection of incompetent candidates to key positions.
They held Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the BJP-led Central Government responsible for the alleged irregularities and the suicides linked to the NEET paper leak. The protesters demanded that the President of India dismiss the Union Minister from the Cabinet and initiate a criminal investigation into the deaths of the 14 youths, with strict punishment if found guilty.
They also expressed solidarity with social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for several days over the same issue, and said his health was in a critical condition. The protesters warned that if any harm came to him during his fast, the Central Government would be held responsible, adding that continued negligence could trigger a wider public movement with serious consequences.
