Nationwide protests in India support Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike over NEET leak
In July 2026, widespread student and civil society protests erupted across India—including Visakhapatnam, Ballari, Mysuru, Hassan, Bengaluru, and New Delhi—supporting educationist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike in Delhi. Demonstrators condemned police lathi charges and forced removal of protesters, demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and called for the abolition of the National Testing Agency (NTA) over repeated NEET-UG exam irregularities and the NEET-2026 paper leak.
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Symbolic satyagraha in Hangal over NEET paper leak
On July 23, 2026, scores of students and citizens in Hangal, Haveri district, Karnataka, held a one-day symbolic satyagraha organized by the Hangal Taluk Shaiskhanika Horata Samiti. Participants marched from local schools and colleges to condemn the NEET paper leak and the lathi charge on protesting students in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protest included the national anthem, tributes to 21 students who died in the NEET imbroglio, and a day-long fast by over twenty people. Local MLA Srinivas Mane expressed solidarity. A memorandum addressed to the President of India was submitted to the tahsildar, calling for compensation for the deceased students' families, support for activist Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite fast, and strict punishment for those involved in the paper leak.
Protests in New York, San Jose in support of Wangchuk
Activists from the U.S.-based advocacy group 'Hindus for Human Rights' held demonstrations in New York City's Union Square and San Jose on July 20, 2026, expressing solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite hunger strike in New Delhi over alleged irregularities in the NEET exams. Protesters carried placards, raised slogans against the Indian government, and demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Similar solidarity protests occurred outside the Indian High Commission in London and the Indian Embassy in Dublin. Wangchuk, whose health deteriorated after over three weeks of fasting, was moved from Safdarjung Hospital to a private hospital following a Delhi High Court order. Opposition parties in India have also supported the protests.
Hyderabad protests express solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk, condemn Delhi police crackdown
On July 21, 2026, hundreds of activists, students, and civil society members gathered at multiple locations in Hyderabad, India, to express solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk and condemn the alleged use of force by Delhi police against protesters on July 20. The protests included a meeting at the Press Club in Somajiguda, a march to People's Plaza organized by Disha Students' Organisation and Naujawan Bharat Sabha, a 'Performance Resistance' event at Sundarayya Vignana Kendram, and a gathering near the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar statue at Necklace Road. Participants demanded an inquiry into alleged police brutality, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and the scrapping of the National Testing Agency (NTA). Testimonies from attendees, including corporate employee Mohammed Junaid, described alleged indiscriminate beatings, lathi-charges on women, and internet disruptions during the Delhi protests. The demonstrations also highlighted broader concerns over accountability, transparency, and the right to dissent.
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Mysuru student groups protest police crackdown on 'Samsad Chalo' march
On July 21, 2026, members of the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) and allied groups staged a protest at Ramaswamy Circle in Mysuru, condemning the police lathi-charge and tear gas use against 'Samsad Chalo' marchers in Delhi. The protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in central examinations, including a NEET question paper leak. AIDSO district president Chandrakala criticized police for denying permission despite advance notice, calling the right to protest a fundamental democratic right. AIMSS vice-president Seema condemned police excesses against women, while AIDYO district president Sunil described the action as a brutal attack and called for the abolition of the National Testing Agency (NTA). The demonstration included students from various colleges.
AIDYO and AIMSS Condemn Police Brutality Against Student Protesters in New Delhi
On July 21, 2026, scores of students led by the All India Democratic Youth Organisation (AIDYO) and All India Mahila Samskutika Sanghatane (AIMSS) staged a demonstration in Dharwad, India, condemning alleged police brutalities against student protesters at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi the previous day. The protesters accused Delhi police of using lathi-charge and tear gas shells to suppress a peaceful demonstration. AIMSS district president Madhulata Goudar alleged that the BJP-led NDA government misused police to snub protests, citing over 80 paper leaks in a decade that eroded trust in public examinations. She demanded the resignation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. AIDYO district president Bhavanishankar Gouda criticized the government for failing to respond to a 22-day hunger strike and called for the abolition of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and measures to address unemployment. The protest also demanded action to save activist Sonam Wangchuk.
AISA and AIDSO Condemn Police Lathi Charge on Student Protesters in New Delhi
On July 20, 2026, around 1,500 protesters organized by the All India Students' Association (AISA) gathered at Freedom Park in Bengaluru to express solidarity with the 'Chalo Sansad' march in New Delhi. They condemned the Delhi Police's use of lathi charge and tear gas on peaceful student protesters, and alleged the illegal abduction of activist Sonam Wangchuk. The protesters also criticized the NEET-2026 paper leak as evidence of systemic failure in India's examination system. Separately, the All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) staged a protest at Bangalore University, accusing the government of authoritarian repression and denying permission for a pre-announced march to Parliament demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Bangalore University students condemn police lathi charge on students in New Delhi
Students at Bangalore University, led by the All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO), staged a protest on July 20, 2026, condemning police for using a lathi charge and tear gas against students marching towards Parliament in New Delhi. The march demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. AIDSO State treasurer Subhash B.J. criticized the police action as undemocratic and a violation of fundamental rights, calling on the student community nationwide to oppose the government's attitude.
CPI(M) condemns police action against Sonam Wangchuk and students, demands minister's resignation
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) held a protest in Visakhapatnam on July 20, 2026, condemning police action against social activist Sonam Wangchuk and students protesting in New Delhi over the alleged NEET paper leak. CPI(M) leaders staged a dharna in front of the Visakhapatnam Collectorate, criticizing the disruption of Wangchuk's indefinite fast and the use of force against students during a Parliament march as undemocratic. They demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, calling for a comprehensive probe into the NEET paper leak and strict action against those responsible. District secretary M. Jaggu Naidu stated the leak had shaken the confidence of lakhs of students and parents, urging the Centre to engage with protesters rather than use coercive measures.
AIDSO Protests in Hassan Against Centre's Action on Sonam Wangchuk
Activists of the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) staged a protest in Hassan, Karnataka, on Saturday, condemning the Central government's action against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his supporters, who are on a hunger strike in Delhi. The protesters gathered at Hemavathi Statue Circle, objecting to police forcibly removing Wangchuk. They urged the government to initiate dialogue. AIDSO district president Chaithra U.K. linked the protest to nationwide demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over NEET-UG exam irregularities, which she said have caused student distress and suicides. District secretary Sushma D.S. accused the government of using force instead of addressing grievances. The protesters demanded talks, Pradhan's resignation, and the abolition of the National Testing Agency.
AIDSO condemns police action against Sonam Wangchuk, demands democratic dialogue
On July 18, 2026, the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) held a protest in Mysuru, India, condemning the alleged forcible removal of educationist and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk and other hunger-strike protesters by police in Delhi. AIDSO State vice-president Abhaya Diwakar accused the government of an 'anti-democratic attitude' for failing to engage with Wangchuk, whose hunger strike had entered its 20th day. Protesters also alleged irregularities in National Testing Agency (NTA) exams, including NEET-UG, and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Social activists and former university officials joined the protest, calling for immediate democratic talks with the hunger strikers and the abolition of the NTA. The demonstration was held at Ramaswamy Circle in Mysuru.
Ballari Students Protest Police Action Against Sonam Wangchuk, Demand Abolition of NTA
Members of the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) staged a protest in Ballari, Karnataka, on July 18, 2026, condemning the Delhi police's forced removal of educationist and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk and other fasting protesters. The demonstrators demanded immediate democratic talks between the Union government and the protesters. AIDSO district president K. Eranna alleged that repeated irregularities in examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), including NEET-UG, have jeopardized the future of lakhs of students. The protesters also called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the abolition of the NTA. AIDSO district secretary Kambali Manjunath criticized the police action as undemocratic and authoritarian, urging the government to stop suppressing dissent and engage in dialogue.
Support swells for Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite fast
On July 17, 2026, members of the All India Save Education Committee (AISEC) and several civil society organizations held demonstrations in Visakhapatnam, India, expressing solidarity with educationist and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite hunger strike in New Delhi. The protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET-2026 paper leak. AISEC leaders criticized the National Testing Agency (NTA) for recurring examination irregularities and called for its dissolution. They urged the central government to initiate dialogue with Wangchuk to safeguard his health, as his fast had entered its 20th day. Other civil society representatives, including from Andhra Pradesh Mahila Samakhya and Andhra Pradesh Matsya Karmika Sangham, also voiced concern over Wangchuk's deteriorating health and demanded accountability for repeated paper leaks.