Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Gangtok: The Sikkim University Students Association threw its weight behind climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday, July 16. Wangchuk is currently holding an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to protest failures in India's exam system. He entered his 20th day of fasting on Friday. Doctors warn his health is fading. Wangchuk vowed, "stay alive till July 20 at any cost" despite medical warnings.
SUSA officials pointed to the 2026 NEET-UG scandal as proof of deep-rooted administrative rot. That mess hurt 2.28 million candidates. It caused delayed admissions, financial ruin, and mental health crises. The association also listed UGC-NET and CUET as exams plagued by leaks and cancellations. Students from the North East face extra burdens. They struggle with geographic isolation, spotty internet, and high travel costs for testing.
The group demands a new Examination Integrity Commission. It wants this body to include experts from the judiciary, academia, and civil society to police the National Testing Agency. Their plan pushes for end-to-end encryption, biometric checks, and AI monitoring. They also want subsidized help for students in remote areas. The student body called for mandatory annual audits and legal crackdowns on cheaters.
The protest began on June 20 under the Cockroach Janta Party. Wangchuk joined the line on June 28. The CJP now demands the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. They also want 1 crore rupees for families of students who died by suicide after testing disasters. SUSA urged the Union government and the University Grants Commission to start talks with Wangchuk immediately.
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