PUCL urges Jantar Mantar hunger strikers to end fast, backs demands

By A Representative 

The People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has appealed to the protesters on hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, including activist Sonam Wangchuk and protesting students, to consider ending their fast while reaffirming its support for their demand that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign over alleged failures in the education system.

In a public statement issued by PUCL President Kavita Srivastava and General Secretary V. Suresh, the civil liberties organisation said it stood in "total solidarity" with the protesters' demands and criticised the Union government's response to the ongoing agitation.

The organisation said it was joining more than 1,821 artistes, writers, academics, social activists and other citizens who had urged the hunger strikers to call off their fast. PUCL alleged that while citizens and several political parties had expressed solidarity with the protest, the Union government had shown "criminal indifference" to the concerns raised by students.

The statement also criticised remarks attributed to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan comparing protesters to a "B team of terrorists," describing the comments as an attempt to delegitimise demands for accountability.

PUCL further criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remaining silent on the issue, arguing that the government had failed to engage in dialogue with the protesters despite the prolonged demonstration.

Referring to Sonam Wangchuk's reported response to appeals to end the hunger strike, PUCL quoted him as saying: "Don't ask me to end my fast. Ask the government why they won't even have a dialogue."

Expressing concern over the deteriorating health of those on hunger strike, the organisation nevertheless urged them to end their fast, stating that continuing to live would enable them to "fight another day" for educational reforms and constitutional values.

The organisation also appealed to citizens, particularly members of Generation Z, to continue campaigning for accountability over alleged examination paper leaks and to work towards reforms aimed at making the education system more transparent and fair.

The statement was signed by PUCL President Kavita Srivastava and General Secretary V. Suresh.