Congress MP Prashant Padole has thrown his weight behind climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar. Padole met Wangchuk on Wednesday and extended support to the agitation demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
According to NH India, Padole also announced that he would join the protesters' march to Parliament scheduled for 20 July.
Padole's visit during Wangchuk's 18th day of hunger strike
The Congress MP's visit came as Wangchuk completed the 18th day of his indefinite hunger strike. The Congress party has so far largely kept its distance from the agitation, making Padole's support a notable development.
Padole, who represents the Bhandara-Gondia constituency in Maharashtra's Lok Sabha, blamed government corruption for the unfulfilled aspirations of the country's youth.
"The dreams the children had are not being realised because of government corruption." — NH India
What the protest is about
The protest at Jantar Mantar, led by Sonam Wangchuk, demands the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The activists allege irregularities in the NEET examination, which they say have affected the future of thousands of students across the country.
Padole's decision to join the march on 20 July signals a shift in the Congress party's approach to the issue, though the party as a whole has not officially endorsed the protest.
Our Take: A political shift worth watching
Padole's support for Wangchuk's fast is significant because the Congress party has largely stayed away from this protest. By stepping in, Padole is not only backing a popular cause but also putting pressure on the government over the NEET exam issue. The march to Parliament on 20 July could become a flashpoint if more opposition leaders join in. For now, this is a clear signal that the NEET controversy is not going away quietly.
