Wangchuk Begins Indefinite Fast; Cabinet Reshuffle on the Cards: What Could It Mean for Dharmendra Pradhan?
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
The political temperature in Delhi has peaked. Activist Sonam Wangchuk has commenced an indefinite hunger strike in solidarity with students protesting national examination leaks. Simultaneously, an imminent Rajya Sabha-driven Cabinet reshuffle has intensified speculation over whether Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will retain his high-stakes portfolio amid massive structural cleanups.
By Pranjal Gupta
New Delhi, June 28: Senior activist Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike on Sunday, extending his support to the ongoing movement seeking accountability from the government over the alleged mishandling of competitive examinations such as NEET and CUET-UG, among others. Wangchuk has strongly backed the protesting students and the internet-born Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which has been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
While the Union government has not directly responded to their demands, a Cabinet reshuffle may take place in July as the Rajya Sabha terms of several members are set to end as part of the regular biennial retirement cycle. As of now, there is no official confirmation, but news agency PTI, citing its sources, reported that Dharmendra Pradhan is under watch.
Wangchuk believes that a peaceful protest is the only option available in a democracy when there is no accountability. Before beginning his fast at Jantar Mantar, the innovator visited Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi along with CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke.
His hunger strike was not sudden. In fact, he had given the government a two-day ultimatum to address the students' grievances. He said the focus should be on using education to "build children's lives and give direction to the nation".
"I did engineering, but never took a job because I felt the key to all generations is in education. When some youth raise their voices on issues with the education system, how could I have remained silent? It was natural for me to support them," Wangchuk added.
Since his release from Jodhpur Central Jail in March 2026, this is Sonam Wangchuk's first major public protest. He had spent nearly six months in detention under the National Security Act (NSA) for leading the Ladakh statehood movement. His arrest followed the collapse of talks with the Centre, during which he pressed for constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, including its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule to protect the region's tribal communities.
These demands were rooted in assurances made by the ruling government in its election manifesto when Article 370 was abrogated and Jammu & Kashmir was reorganised into two Union Territories.
How Rajya Sabha Reshuffle Will Affect The Education Minister?
The future of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remains highly uncertain following severe criticism over the national NEET paper leak controversy and alleged irregularities in the CBSE digital marking system. While no official decision regarding his position has been announced, his status as a Lok Sabha MP shields him from the immediate upcoming Rajya Sabha retirement vacancy cards.
However, with the Centre actively shifting its focus toward accountability and accommodating newly elected Rajya Sabha members, speculation is mounting that Pradhan may be shifted to the orginsational roles, with his high-stakes portfolio being handed over to someone else in the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle.
For now, Wangchuk has vowed to continue his indefinite hunger strike until the government addresses the students' concerns, setting the stage for a fresh confrontation between the protesters and the Centre.
