Sonam Wangchuk Protest: Rakesh Tikait Arrives With 500 Farmers as Arvind Kejriwal Joins Jantar Mantar Rally

The ongoing demonstration at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar gained significant momentum on Thursday as prominent farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, accompanied by approximately 500 farmers, joined the protest site to support climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk. Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike, organized in coordination with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has entered its 19th day, centering on demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following recent paper leaks and irregularities in national competitive exams like NEET.

The protest drew heavy political backing, most notably from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, who shared the stage with Wangchuk. Addressing a packed gathering, the former Delhi Chief Minister criticized the central government’s response to the exam crisis and called for Pradhan’s immediate removal. Kejriwal went a step further, urging the Prime Minister to appoint Wangchuk as the country's next education minister to restore public trust in the examination system. ‘Remove Dharmendra Pradhan, Make Sonam Wangchuk Education Minister’: Arvind Kejriwal Suggests Centre at Jantar Mantar.

The Indian National Congress also made its first formal intervention in the protest on Thursday. Senior party leaders K.C. Venugopal and Sachin Pilot expressed their solidarity with the cause, demanding accountability for the exam system failures while simultaneously appealing to Wangchuk to end his fast due to the severe risk to his life. Other major opposition figures, including Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, and SP leader Akhilesh Yadav, have similarly extended their support.

Meanwhile, medical professionals have raised urgent concerns regarding Wangchuk's deteriorating physical condition. His attending physician, Dr. Satish Lamba, reported that the activist has lost over nine kilograms since beginning his hunger strike on June 28, with his weight dropping to 56.9 kg. Dr. Lamba warned that Wangchuk's body has entered the second stage of prolonged starvation, placing him at a high risk for multi-organ complications if the fast continues. Sonam Wangchuk Hunger Strike Day 19: Congress Appeals to Activist To End Fast, Backs Demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation.

Rakesh Tikait Joins Sonam Wangchuk's Protest With 500 Farmers

आज दिल्ली स्थित जंतर-मंतर पहुंचकर विगत उन्नीस दिन से आमरण अनशन कर रहे सोनम वांगचुक जी से मुलाकात कर उनका कुशलक्षेम जाना व आंदोलनरत छात्रों को संबोधित किया,सरकार मामले की गंभीरता को समझते हुए जल्द से जल्द आंदोलन कर रहे देश के युवा की मांग को पूर्ण करें।@PMOIndia @ANI pic.twitter.com/5PTiX43QQw

— Rakesh Tikait (@RakeshTikaitBKU) July 16, 2026

A group of 500 farmers had come to join the protest at Jantar Mantar but the protest was so packed that they made their way to the back and CJP Founder @abhijeet_dipke appealed to them to join the March to Parliament on 20th July!

Pradhan Must Resign! pic.twitter.com/lPnO5o1oHy

— Cockroach is Back (@Cockroachisback) July 16, 2026

Originally launched to highlight educational and systemic reforms, the CJP-led protest has rapidly transformed into a broader coalition of farmers, political opposition, and civil society. Along with political leaders, public figures such as stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and actors Swara Bhasker and Prakash Raj have also visited Jantar Mantar to express solidarity.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 16, 2026 10:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).