Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray supported Sonam Wangchuk’s fast and targeted the BJP government. He sought resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over NEET paper leak. At the same time, Delhi HC has directed to monitor Wangchuk’s health.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [भारत]July 16 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray on Thursday extended his support to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike. He accused the BJP-led central government of being insensitive to the concerns raised by the workers and said the government was focused on “creating division” rather than addressing public issues.
Aditya Thackeray targeted the Center
In a post shared on Twitter, Thackeray said the Centre’s response to Wangchuk’s protest shows its lack of concern for the youth of the country. “The BJP government’s insensitivity towards the issue for which @Wangchuk66 is fasting in Delhi proves only one thing: This government is not at all concerned about young India,” he said.
Targeting Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader alleged that he should be held accountable over the NEET paper leak controversy. He said, “Their very simple demand is that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan… should be held accountable. He should be removed from his post. After such a serious incident like the paper leak in medical college entrance exams, in no country does such an incompetent Union Minister hold office.”
Referring to the recent controversies related to paper leak, ethanol policy and Ram Mandir issue, Thackeray alleged that the BJP was using such cases to create division among the people and retain power. “Be it the paper leak, the ethanol issue, or the temple issue… the BJP has only one policy: to create division among the people and preserve its power,” he said.
The reason why @Wangchuk66 ji is protesting in Delhi proves only one thing – the insensitivity of the BJP government regarding the question, or the government does not care at all about the young India. He has a very simple demand, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should be made infamous in the paperwork issue… — Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) July 16, 2026
High Court gave instructions for health monitoring
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court earlier in the day directed that Wangchuk’s medical condition be medically monitored on a daily basis during his ongoing hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.
A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tejas Karia said that “the life of every citizen is precious and all efforts should be made by government authorities to save it.”
The Court also directed that any medical intervention required based on the opinion of government doctors be provided without delay.
The directions came while disposing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Wangchuk over concerns over his deteriorating health during his long fast.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Center and the Delhi government, informed the court that Wangchuk’s health was already being monitored on a daily basis by government doctors and medical experts and assured the bench that if necessary, another medical team could also be deployed.
The PIL, filed by Rakesh Kumar Sahni, had sought directions to ensure regular medical monitoring and timely treatment of Wangchuk during his long fast in view of concerns over his health.
Fast continued on 19th day
Wangchuk, an engineer, education reformer and climate activist from Ladakh, entered the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Thursday. The protest focuses on the demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the 2026 NEET-UG examination and the high-profile paper leak controversy. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet News editorial staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)