Ranchi: The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) staged a protest outside the CMPDI Gate on Kanke Road in Ranchi on Saturday against the arrest of climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk and the alleged police action against protesting students in New Delhi. The demonstration also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Apart from CITU activists, the protest was attended by CITU National President Sudip Dutta, General Secretary Elamaram Kareem, and members of the organisation's All India Executive Committee, who were in Ranchi to participate in the committee meeting held at Mayuri Hall, CMPDI, from July 17 to 19.
Addressing the gathering, CITU leaders alleged that Wangchuk had been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar for the past 20 days, demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister. They claimed that instead of initiating dialogue, the Central Government ordered his arrest and that police resorted to lathi-charge against students participating in the protest, describing the action as an attack on democratic rights.
The leaders further alleged that Wangchuk's health had deteriorated significantly, stating that he had lost nearly nine kilograms and that his blood sugar level was continuously falling. They accused the Central Government of remaining insensitive to issues concerning the future of millions of students.
CITU leaders said the movement had received support from the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and several Left student and youth organisations. They alleged that the agitation was aimed at exposing structural corruption and repeated failures in the National Testing Agency (NTA). According to them, the NEET paper leak and similar examination scandals reflected the collapse of the country's examination and recruitment system, shattering the aspirations of lakhs of students and job seekers.
The speakers also criticised the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, alleging that it promotes commercialisation, centralisation and privatisation of education while reducing public investment and making quality education less accessible to economically weaker sections.
Expressing solidarity with the ongoing agitation, CITU announced a nationwide protest on July 20 against Wangchuk's arrest and in support of the movement.
Among those present at the demonstration were CITU State General Secretary Vishwajit Dev, Coal Federation General Secretary D.D. Ramanandan, NCEOA General Secretary R.P. Singh, Prakash Viplav, Sanjay Paswan, CITU District Secretary Prateek Mishra, farmer leader Sufal Mahto, Adivasi Manch leaders Prafull Linda and Sukhnath Lohra, AIDWA leader Veena Linda, along with hundreds of CITU members and supporters.
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