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Congress leader Pawan Khera met Sonam Wangchuk and CJP protesters at Jantar Mantar
July 17, 2026: The Congress on Friday expressed solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk and members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesting at Jantar Mantar over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination. Congress leader Pawan Khera visited the protest site and appealed to Wangchuk to end his indefinite hunger strike, citing concerns over his deteriorating health. He said peaceful protest is a constitutional right and that the government’s responsibility is to engage with citizens rather than ignore their concerns.
Criticising the Centre, Khera said the government’s refusal to engage with protesters reflected an attitude “unworthy of a democracy.” Referring to the principle of “Raj Dharma,” he argued that governments should listen to peaceful demonstrators even when they disagree with their demands. He also said the Congress would continue to press for education reforms and demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged examination irregularities.
The CJP has been protesting for more than 28 days, demanding accountability over the alleged NEET-UG irregularities, while Sonam Wangchuk has been on an indefinite fast since June 28. Khera’s visit follows recent meetings between Wangchuk and leaders including Arvind Kejriwal and Dimple Yadav. Earlier, Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal had also urged Wangchuk to end his fast, assuring him that the Opposition would continue raising the issue and pressing the government for action.