Students stage protest in Guwahati demanding resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
Guwahati, July 20: Students in Guwahati staged a peaceful protest in front of Nehru Park on Monday, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and expressing solidarity with education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk over his ongoing hunger strike.
A large number of students, along with members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), and Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), participated in the demonstration. Several senior citizens also joined the protest, describing it as a movement for a “noble cause.”
The protesters carried placards bearing slogans such as “Resign Dharmendra Pradhan,” “Student Lives Matter,” “Scrap NTA,” and “Stop Corruption in NEET and CBSE Exams,” among others.
Speaking to Guwahati Times, SFI Assam State Committee Secretary Rajdeep Mohanta said the protest was jointly organised by SFI, DYFI, AIDWA, and CITU, along with students and concerned citizens from across Guwahati.
He further stated that the protesters demanded comprehensive reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA) to ensure a transparent, fair, and accountable examination system.
Expressing solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk’s ongoing hunger strike, Mohanta urged the Central Government to initiate dialogue with him. He said Wangchuk’s primary demand is to safeguard the future of the country’s youth by addressing the recurring issue of examination paper leaks and ensuring greater accountability in the education system.
SFI Joint Secretary Utpala Das also said the protest was organised as a solidarity demonstration in support of Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a prolonged hunger strike.
It may be mentioned that similar protests were held across Assam by various student organisations and citizens in support of Sonam Wangchuk and the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar. The demonstrators raised several demands, including reforms in the conduct of NEET and CBSE examinations, the resignation of the Union Education Minister over the alleged failure to ensure the smooth conduct of national-level examinations, and the scrapping of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Many participants also said that Wangchuk’s hunger strike has become the driving force behind the nationwide movement, inspiring students and citizens to unite in their demand for greater transparency, accountability, and reforms in the country’s examination system.
The protest in Guwahati concluded peacefully, with participants reiterating their demands and urging the Central Government to take immediate action on the concerns raised by Sonam Wangchuk and the student community.
