Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike tested Modi!

For several months now, India’s ‘cockroach’ group and opposition leaders have been demanding the resignation of the Education Minister.

Critics of Minister Dharmendra Pradhan have argued that while the exam scam requires major system changes, the Education Minister is ultimately responsible for the leaked question papers and should take accountability.

Even as students and workers are protesting indefinitely at Jantar Mantar, some of whom have not eaten anything for days, the minister is unlikely to resign.

At the time of previous scams and similar demands, Bharatiya Janata Party ministers have told reporters that this government does not support the policy of resignation.

In 2015, India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh famously said, “There will be no resignation of ministers.” Another minister, speaking about the opposition alliance, had said, “Our ministers do not do what UPA ministers used to do.”

It seems that BJP has not relented on this stand. In this month of protests and reactions from students and parents, the BJP has largely ignored the cockroach party, criticized the opposition and maintained silence with the students.

The founder of youth-led political pressure group Cockroach Janata Party on Monday night expressed grave concern over the deteriorating health of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is now on the 17th day of her indefinite hunger strike in New Delhi.

Wangchuk, who has lost more than 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) since starting the fast, is demanding the resignation of India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the leak of the nationwide entrance exam. It impacted approximately 2.2 million aspiring medical students and led to many students committing suicide.

Wangchuk is now face-to-face with a minister who sits about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the protest site.

According to a statement issued to the media, Wangchuk’s blood sugar levels have repeatedly dropped to dangerous levels, he is experiencing frequent dizziness and visible loss of muscle mass. However, he reportedly refused to end his fast unless the government held talks with the CJP.

“Don’t ask me to end my fast. Ask the government why they won’t talk,” Wangchuk said on Tuesday morning, quoting CJP founder Abhijit Dubke.

Dupke said in the statement, “What kind of government is this? Sonam Wangchuk belongs to this country. She has given global recognition to India with her work. Today she is fighting for the students of this country, yet the government has not sent a single minister or delegation to talk to her. The complete apathy of the government is extremely unfortunate.”

Meanwhile, CJP speakers urged “students, parents and citizens across India to join Sonam Wangchuk in a peaceful march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament on July 20.”

India’s Gen Z ‘cockroaches’ protest against cheating in national exams

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hello! And welcome to DW’s India news blog Tuesday.

I’m Mahima Kapoor reporting from the New Delhi bureau and I’ll be your guide through the news, noise and chaos of India.

The national weather agency has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of northern and eastern India. While the country is experiencing a below-normal monsoon, uneven but heavy distribution of rainfall has left many states and cities battling the proverbial fire.

The week-long protest organized by the satirical cockroach Janata Party against the Education Minister in the national capital has now reached a critical juncture. The health of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been fasting for over two weeks in support of Indian students affected by the medical entrance exam scam, is deteriorating.

And he refused to end his fast until Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government talks.

On the international front, another Indian sailor has lost his life aboard one of the two UAE fuel tankers that were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz.

Stay tuned to know all this and much more.