CPI urges talks with Sonam Wangchuk, demands Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation

The Communist Party of India (CPI) national secretary K. Ramakrishna urged the Centre to hold talks with environmentalist and education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk. He alleged that repeated examination paper leaks have undermined the country’s education system.

Addressing a press conference in Vijayawada on Sunday (July 19, 2026), Mr. Ramakrishna alleged that around 82 examination paper leaks and cancellations had occurred during the past 12 years, creating anxiety among students and job aspirants. Referring to the cancellation of examinations, including NEET and a recent recruitment test in Maharashtra, he accused the Union government of failing to ensure transparency in public examinations.

Criticising the Centre’s handling of Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike, he alleged that the government had attempted to suppress the protest instead of engaging in dialogue. “We urge the Union government to immediately hold discussions with Mr. Wangchuk and student organisations, including the AISF and SFI, to address their concerns,” he said.

Holding the Union government responsible for repeated examination irregularities, he demanded the resignation or removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

On the Ayodhya Ram Temple row, Mr. Ramakrishna sought a judicial inquiry by a sitting or former Supreme Court judge into the alleged misuse of temple funds. Devotees who had contributed thousands of crores deserved complete transparency and called for action against all those found responsible of irregularities, he said.

The CPI leader also criticised the Andhra Pradesh government’s alleged moves to privatise public sector institutions, including medical colleges and APSRTC, and urged it to strengthen the public sector. Expressing concern over law and order, he referred to the recent alleged assault on a woman in Guntur district and criticised the sedition case registered against YouTuber Prashna Ravana. CPI State secretariat member Donepudi Shankar was present.