NEW DELHI: Congress leader Pawan Khera on Friday met activist Sonam Wangchuk and other protesters at Jantar Mantar as their indefinite hunger strike over alleged irregularities in the education system and the NEET paper leak entered its 20th day.Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Khera expressed concern over Wangchuk’s deteriorating health and said the Centre was insensitive to democratic protests.“We are all concerned about Sonam Wangchuk’s health. We are dealing with a highly insensitive government that fails to understand the language of democratic protest. When facing such a government, the methods of protest must evolve. Risking one’s life against this government will not yield results,” he said.Khera said the Congress has been raising issues related to alleged irregularities in the education system through its “Chhatron Ki Goonj” campaign.“We have been running a campaign called ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ for quite some time. Our people are actively raising these issues across every street, lane and campus. We are demanding not only the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan but also transparency in examinations,” he said.Khera’s visit came a day after Congress formally extended support to Wangchuk’s agitation.On Thursday, Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast, saying the party shared his concerns and would continue demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.“His concerns are our concerns,” Venugopal said in a post on X, while urging Wangchuk to end his indefinite hunger strike in view of his health.Meanwhile, Wangchuk’s weight loss crossed nine kilograms on the 19th day of his fast, with doctors warning that he had entered a critical stage and that the prolonged hunger strike could begin affecting his organs.In a video message released on Wednesday night, Wangchuk ruled out ending his fast despite appeals from political leaders and supporters, saying doing so without any response from the government would send the wrong message.The Cockroach Janta Party has been protesting at Jantar Mantar, demanding Pradhan’s resignation over the alleged NEET examination irregularities. The group has also called for a Parliament march on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon session.
