Congress leader Pawan Khera on Friday met activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a hunger strike in Jantar Mantar to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, urging him to end his fast due to his deteriorating health condition.
In a post on X after the meeting, Khaira said that peaceful protest is a constitutional right in a democratic country and stressed that it is the government’s duty to deal with citizens who fast to make their voices heard.
“In a democracy, peaceful protest is a constitutional right. When citizens fast to be heard, it is the government’s duty to listen – not look away. This is Raj Dharma,” Khera said.
Compared to previous governments, the Congress leader said that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 and the United Progressive Alliance government led by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2011 had engaged with the protesters despite differences.
“This is what Mrs. Indira Gandhi ji did in 1984. This is what Dr. Manmohan Singh’s government did in 2011. They understood that the first responsibility of the government is to participate, even in disagreement,” he said.
Khera alleged that the incumbent government has chosen “indifference” towards the demands for education reforms raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, National Students Union of India (NSUI), Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and protesters at Jantar Mantar.
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“But this government has chosen indifference. It has refused to address the demand for education reforms – whether raised by Shri Rahul Gandhi, NSUI and IYC workers across the country or the protesters at Jantar Mantar. Such indifference is not just arrogance, it is cruel and not worthy of democracy at all,” he added.
Khera said that on behalf of the Congress Party, he appealed to Wangchuk and other protesters to call off their hunger strike over concerns about their health.
“Today, on behalf of the Congress Party, I met Mr. Sonam Wangchuk and the protesters at Jantar Mantar and urged them to end their fast in light of their deteriorating health. A movement is not strengthened by the loss of its people. We live to fight another day,” he said.
Abhijit Deepki, one of the organizers of the protest, thanked Khera for his solidarity, “I thank Congress MP Pawankera ji for visiting Jantar Mantar, expressing his solidarity, and checking on Mr. Sonam’s health. Dharmendra Pradhan should resign.”
Meanwhile, Wangchuk’s health standards as of 9:30 a.m. on July 17 showed his weight at 56.55 kg, a decrease of 350 grams in 24 hours. Blood pressure was 108/68, blood sugar 70 mg/dL, and pulse rate 72 per minute.
“…It is the 20th day of the hunger strike. As of 9:30 a.m. on July 17, 2026, the main health indicators are as follows. Subject weight 56.55 kg, down 350 grams over the past 24 hours. Blood pressure 108/68, blood sugar 70 mg/dL, pulse rate 72 per minute. Hydration fair, with mild dehydration. Dr. Satish Lamba said. To reporters: “As previously explained, when the body does not receive glucose, protein and carbohydrates, changes occur. The initial phase involves fat loss, followed by muscle loss and the formation of ketone bodies in the urine.”
On Thursday, former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) president Arvind Kejriwal and Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav were among the opposition leaders who met and expressed solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk.
Lending support to the youth-led protest at Jantar Mantar, Arvind Kejriwal demanded Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and suggested the name of education and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk as the next Union Education Minister.
The AAP convener also urged the Center to respond to the demands of the protesters, warning that the NDA government may face a “2014-like fate” like the Congress-led UPA II.
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Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Thursday observed that “the life of every citizen is precious and government authorities must make all efforts to save it,” while directing that the medical condition of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk be monitored clinically on a daily basis during his ongoing hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.
The court also ordered that any required medical intervention must be provided based on the opinion of government doctors.
A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued the directions while disposing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by petitioner Rakesh Kumar Sahni, who sought the court’s intervention over Wangchuk’s deteriorating health.
While dictating the order, the bench noted that the petition expressed concern over Wangchuk’s health and recorded that he had been fasting at Jantar Mantar for the past 17 to 18 days in support of certain demands.
The court noted that the petition claimed that his health condition had deteriorated due to the prolonged hunger strike.
While appearing virtually before the Center and the Delhi government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that Wangchuk’s health is already being checked daily and his medical parameters are being monitored regularly.
The authority asked whether there was a mechanism in place to monitor Wangchuk’s health. In response, Mehta assured the court that government doctors and medical experts were conducting regular check-ups.
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Wangchuk, an engineer, education reformer and climate activist from Ladakh, has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to press for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in the wake of nationwide examination irregularities and the controversy over a high-profile NEET paper leak. The PIL filed by Rakesh Kumar Sahni sought directions to ensure regular medical monitoring and timely treatment in view of concerns over Wangchuk’s health during the long fast.
