Hunger strikers endure rain at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar

ISLAMABAD: A major demonstration at Jantar Mantar, a historic public square directly opposite the Indian Parliament in New Delhi, has entered its 13th day, with activists and students continuing hunger strikes amid heavy rainfall and a heavy police presence in the area.

At the center of the sit-in is Sonam Wangchuk, a 59-year-old climate activist and education reformer known for founding an alternative learning institution, according to Northeast India 24. As of Thursday, Wangchuk had been on his hunger strike for nearly a week, consuming only water, salt, and minerals. He is demanding the resignation of India's Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan.

The protest centers on India's medical entrance examination, the NEET-UG, which is analogous to the MCAT in North America and medical entrance exams in other countries such as Pakistan's MDCAT. Widespread exam security breaches have affected the country's health professions pipeline, as reported by The Hindu.

The medical entrance exam was postponed in May following the breach, which exposed the vulnerability of India's centralized testing system used by millions of applicants annually.

The scandal extends beyond medical admissions. The Central Board of Secondary Education, India's largest school board overseeing secondary education, has faced similar irregularities, compounding public outcry over institutional failures.

Multiple hunger strike groups occupy the site. According to The Hindu, six student activists from an all-India student organization were on their fourth day of fasting as of June 30, while a third group of nine protesters, unaffiliated with political organizations and including an advocate from India's high court, had entered their third day by the same date.

Medical monitoring shows deteriorating conditions. Wangchuk's blood sugar dropped to approximately 66 mg/dL, with blood pressure recorded at 100/67, according to Northeast India 24. The activist reported losing about 2 kilograms (4.4 lbs) and experiencing fatigue, though he said that he remained determined to continue.

The relentless heat has proved as challenging as the hunger itself, as reported by The Hindu. One doctoral student described the monotony and physical restraint required to conserve energy as more taxing than food denial.

Doctors continue to monitor the strikers, as no immediate government response to their demands has emerged.