Arvind Kejriwal Demands Resignation of Education Minister Amid Protests
Arvind Kejriwal has strongly criticized the central government, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan amid rising protests at Jantar Mantar. He supports climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and urges the government to address the concerns raised by the youth. The Delhi High Court has also mandated daily health monitoring for Wangchuk, who is on a hunger strike. Kejriwal's call for accountability in the education sector highlights the ongoing unrest regarding national competitive exams and education policies. As protests escalate, the situation remains tense, with significant implications for the government.
Jul 16, 2026, 18:39 IST
Kejriwal's Strong Critique of the Central Government
The national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and former Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, launched a fierce critique against the central government on Thursday, calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. In support of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and the youth-led protests at Jantar Mantar, Kejriwal urged the government to heed the demands of the demonstrators. Addressing the gathering, he stated, "Listen to the youth, the movement, and Sonam Wangchuk; otherwise, in three years, you (the central government) will face the same fate as in 2014." Advocating for accountability in the education sector, the former Chief Minister proposed a reshuffle in the central cabinet. He suggested, "I propose that Dharmendra Pradhan should resign and that the Prime Minister appoint Sonam Wangchuk as the Minister of Education. I advise the Prime Minister to remove Dharmendra Pradhan and make Sonam Wangchuk the Union Education Minister."
Protests Over Education Policy Concerns
Kejriwal's remarks came amid escalating protests at Jantar Mantar regarding alleged irregularities in national competitive examinations and broader concerns about education policy. Earlier in the day, the Delhi High Court directed that Wangchuk's health be monitored daily during his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Devender Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tejaswi Karia, emphasized that "every citizen's life is precious, and government officials must make every effort to preserve it." The court also instructed that if medical assistance is required, it should be provided without delay based on the advice of government doctors. These directives were issued during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning Wangchuk's deteriorating health during his prolonged hunger strike.
Court's Assurance on Medical Monitoring
The Solicitor General representing the central and Delhi governments, Tushar Mehta, informed the court that government doctors and medical experts were already monitoring Wangchuk's health daily. He assured the bench that an additional medical team could be deployed if necessary. The PIL filed by Rakesh Kumar Sahni requested regular medical monitoring and timely treatment for Wangchuk, considering the concerns regarding his health during the extended hunger strike. Wangchuk, an engineer from Ladakh, education reformer, and climate activist, entered the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Thursday.