- AIDSO members staged a protest in Ballari on July 18 condemning the alleged forced removal of Sonam Wangchuk and other fasting protesters by the Delhi police, and demanded democratic talks.
- Protesters demanded immediate democratic talks with Wangchuk, resignation of the Union Education Minister over exam irregularities, and abolition of NTA.
- The police action in removing Mr. Wangchuk without discussions was termed undemocratic and authoritarian.
- AIDSO district president K. Eranna alleged that repeated irregularities in NTA examinations, including NEET-UG, had jeopardised the future of lakhs of students.
- AIDSO district secretary Kambali Manjunath said it was the duty of a democratic government to listen to grievances, and that the forced removal betrayed democratic values and reflected an inhumane approach.
Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike has entered its 20th day, drawing significant attention and protests from students in Ballari. The All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) condemned the forced removal of Wangchuk and fellow protesters by Delhi police, labeling the action as undemocratic and authoritarian.4
AIDSO district president K. Eranna criticized the National Testing Agency (NTA) for its repeated examination irregularities, which he claimed have jeopardized the futures of lakhs of students across India. The protesters are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the abolition of the NTA, citing a lack of government engagement in dialogue as a reflection of an anti-democratic attitude.35
Kambali Manjunath, AIDSO district secretary, emphasized that it is the duty of a democratic government to listen to the grievances of its citizens rather than resorting to repression. He described the police's actions as a betrayal of democratic values and an inhumane approach towards citizens exercising their rights.67
The protests in Ballari are part of a larger movement calling for immediate democratic talks with Wangchuk and the fasting protesters, highlighting the urgent need for accountability in the education sector.
“AIDSO district president K. Eranna alleged repeated irregularities in NTA exams, including NEET-UG, jeopardizing the future of lakhs of students. The July 18 protest by AIDSO members in Ballari also demanded democratic talks with Wangchuk, the resignation of the Union Education Minister, and called his forced removal undemocratic and authoritarian.”
