CJP protest Day 25: Wangchuk’s health worsens; fast enters 17th day
Arundhati Roy, Naseeruddin Shah, other eminent persons urge CJP protesters to end hunger strike
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Context
Activist Sonam Wangchuk is on an indefinite hunger strike, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the examination. Despite his deteriorating health, Wangchuk has refused to end his fast, highlighting the government's lack of dialogue, while a group of eminent citizens and political figures like Arvind Kejriwal have appealed to him to stop. The protest is organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which plans a march to Parliament coinciding with its monsoon session.
UPSC Perspectives
Polity
This event highlights the dynamics of dissent and democratic expression within the framework of of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression, and the right to assemble peacefully. A hunger strike, while a non-violent tool historically used by figures like Gandhi, poses challenges for the state regarding its responsibility to protect the right to life under . The government's perceived unresponsiveness to the demands, as pointed out by the protesters, raises questions about accountability and governance. The planned march to Parliament during the monsoon session is a strategic move to leverage the legislative assembly's visibility to pressure the executive. For UPSC, questions could explore the boundaries of peaceful protest, the ethical implications of fasts unto death, and the mechanisms available for citizens to hold the executive accountable outside of electoral cycles.
Social
The core of the protest revolves around alleged irregularities in the (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), a critical examination for medical aspirants in India. This touches upon the crucial issue of equity and integrity in the education sector, which falls under the broader ambit of social justice. When large-scale competitive exams are compromised, it disproportionately affects students from marginalized or less privileged backgrounds who rely on these exams as a pathway to upward social mobility. The demand for the Education Minister's resignation signifies a call for ministerial responsibility, a key convention in parliamentary democracies where ministers are held accountable for the failures of their departments. Aspirants should study the regulatory framework governing national examinations, the role of bodies like the , and the systemic reforms needed to ensure transparency and fairness in educational assessments.
Ethics
Sonam Wangchuk's fast presents a classic ethical dilemma regarding the use of self-inflicted harm (a hunger strike) as a means of political coercion. While driven by a sense of public purpose and moral outrage over perceived injustices in the exams, the tactic forces a confrontation between the individual's right to protest and the state's duty to preserve life. Wangchuk's statement, "I am not Gandhi; be your own hero," reflects a shift from relying on singular charismatic leaders to encouraging broader civic participation and individual moral courage. The appeal by eminent citizens for him to end the fast underscores the ethical consideration of sustainability in social movements—recognizing that systemic change requires long-term engagement ("a marathon, not a sprint") rather than the immediate sacrifice of a leader. From an ethical standpoint, UPSC candidates should analyze the justification of hunger strikes, the concept of proportionality in protests, and the ethical responsibilities of both the state and the protesting citizens.