Jaipur-based Sheikh Nazim and his 12-year son Fayaz observing a day-long fast at the Jantar Mantar on Friday.
| Photo Credit: Suruchi Kumari
Worried about their children’s future and moved by Sonam Wangchuk’s deteriorating health, several parents arrived at Jantar Mantar on Friday, many with their young children in tow, as the activist entered the 20th day of his indefinite hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over issues concerning the country’s education system.Many of them were attending the protest, called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), for the first time and had travelled from different States. They said they decided to join after growing concerned about the deteriorating health of those on indefinite hunger strike, particularly Mr. Wangchuk. Three members of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) are also on an indefinite hunger strike. The parents appealed to those on hunger strike to call off their fast, saying the fight for reforms would be a long one.Solidarity with protestersSheikh Nazim, who travelled from Jaipur with his 12-year-old son, Sheikh Fayaz, and two colleagues, sat some 200 metres from the stage on a hot and humid Friday afternoon. The four were observing a day-long fast in solidarity with Mr. Wangchuk and others on hunger strike. Their fast was scheduled to end when they reached Jaipur at midnight.“I wanted to join the protest for a long time but could not leave my workshop in Jaipur and kept postponing it. We arrived at 7 a.m., but it took us some time to find our way around Delhi. We reached Jantar Mantar at 9 a.m.,” Mr. Nazim said.By 2 p.m., Fayaz had stopped speaking much and responded mostly with nods, but refused to break his fast.“My son insisted on coming with me and fasting with us because we have been following the news. Today, people are protesting over issues like the NEET paper leak and the deaths of students. My child could face similar issues one day and may have to resort to protests to exercise his right to education,” he said.Mr. Nazim called for a better, more accountable education system and urged Mr. Wangchuk to call off his strike.“This is going to be a long fight,” Mr. Nazim said, adding that he planned to return alone on July 20 for the CJP’s call for a march to Parliament.Addressing supporters at the protest site, Mr. Wangchuk acknowledged his weakening physical condition but said his resolve remained unshaken.Sarthak Gupta, who travelled with his wife and their 14-month-old child from Panipat in Haryana, said he had been following developments for several days before deciding to visit after growing concerned about Mr. Wangchuk’s health.“We are here for two reasons — to see how Wangchuk sir is doing with our own eyes and to support the protest. If I want my child to become a better human being, he needs access to education. But given the state of our education system, he may one day have to protest himself. Seeing a great personality like Wangchuk sir in this condition feels heavy,” Mr. Gupta said.‘Uncertain about change’He added that he was still uncertain whether the protest would lead to change. “People like Wangchuk are fasting, and there are young people here doing the same. But will the system pay heed to us and our children? We don’t know,” he said.For 27-year-old Jhimmil from Nagpur in Maharashtra, who stayed at the site for six hours with her five-year-old daughter, the importance of fair examinations came from experience.“I studied in a government college because exams were fair. With paper leaks and no accountability, I don’t know what the future holds for my daughter. People have been on hunger strike over this; how can it be treated as a small issue?” she said.She said she had hoped the government would respond before matters reached this point. “I kept thinking the protest would end, and there would be some response, but nothing has happened, so I am here today,” she said. Published - July 18, 2026 01:45 am IST
