Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday visited teacher Sonam Wangchuk who is on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar and called on the Center to appoint Wangchuk as Union Education Minister.
Addressing the event, Kejriwal said: “I would like to urge the Union government to appoint Wangchuk as Education Minister and remove the current Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, as part of the reforms sought by the protesters.”
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The protest site, which has been witnessing an ongoing sit-in since June 20, attracted hundreds of students, teachers, activists and supporters, with Kejriwal, accompanied by AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bharadwaj, addressing the gathering from the stage where Wangchuk was fasting. Wangchuk, visibly weak, remained seated for most of the program and was seen resting on the stage between speeches.
He said the country’s education system requires structural reforms. “I am happy that the youth have come together under the banner of Kokroche Janta Party (CJP) to demand a stronger and more transparent system,” he said in his 10-minute speech.
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Kejriwal said he would ask the protesters to convince Wangchuk to end his fast while assuring them that the AAP would raise these issues during the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament.
There was no reaction from the Delhi BJP on Kejriwal’s arrival at Jantar Mantar.
Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Dimple Yadav also joined the rally. “At a time when the country needs a better education system, we stand in solidarity with this movement,” she said.
Read also: How the Modi government’s equation with Sonam Wangchuk collapsed: from ‘brilliant conversation’ to Jantar Mantar
Economist and activist Jean Drez visited the protest site and said: “I am here to support him.”
Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait also expressed solidarity with Wangchuk. Organizers said the movement would continue at Jantar Mantar while preparations were underway for a march to Parliament on July 20.
