When Dharmendra Pradhan met Sonam Wangchuk
There was a time when Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Ladakh-based activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk appeared to be on the same page about
There was a time when Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Ladakh-based activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk appeared to be on the same page about the future of Indian education. In March 2023, the two met to discuss the Education Policy (NEP), exchanged words of mutual appreciation and publicly expressed hope for transforming the country's education system. They shared their mutual appreciation in public through Twitter (now X). But like that of a thriller, the page turned quickly, and a new chapter began. Read Full Story Nearly three years later, that cordial relationship between Wangchuk and Pradhan has given way to one of the sharpest public confrontations in the education sector in recent times. Wangchuk, now the leading face of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, is on an indefinite hunger strike demanding Pradhan's resignation over the handling of the 2026 NEET-UG paper leak controversy. His fast entered the 18th day on Wednesday. On Tuesday, prominent people from diverse fields appealed to Wangchuk to discontinue his fast. WHEN MINISTER DHARMENDRA PRADHAN MET EDUCATIONIST SONAM WANGCHUK In March 2023, Dharmendra Pradhan held an interaction with Sonam Wangchuk, widely known for his work in education and sustainable innovation.
After the meeting, the Union minister shared a photograph with Wangchuk, his wife and social entrepreneur Gitanjali J Angmo, describing the interaction as an inspiring exchange of ideas. "Wonderful conversations with Shri Sonam Wangchuk and his wife, Gitanjali J Angmo ji. Appreciate their passion, thoughts, and drive for transforming education, encouraging experiential learning, developing a culture of innovation and sustainable development," Pradhan wrote on X. Wangchuk responded with equal warmth, expressing confidence in the government's education reforms. "Thank you, Dharmendra Pradhan ji for being so open to innovative ideas in education. We feel even more committed to making NEP a reality on the ground," Wangchuk posted on X. At the time, both appeared united in their belief that the Education Policy (NEP) could reshape learning through innovation and experiential education. TRANSITION OF PRASAD-WANGCHUK TIES: FROM COLLABORATION TO CONFRONTATION The relationship between Wangchuk and Pradhan took a dramatic turn after the Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Under Graduation (NEET-UG) 2026 and the CBSE online marking controversy. More than 22 lakh students appeared for the examination, but the test was cancelled on May 12 following allegations that question papers had leaked through so-called "guess papers".
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