The Manipur State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has expressed solidarity with educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and students staging an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over alleged irregularities in national competitive examinations.
In a statement issued by Kshetrimayum Santa, Secretary of the CPI(M) Manipur State Committee, the party described the protest against repeated examination paper leaks and the demand for institutional accountability as a legitimate democratic movement aimed at safeguarding the future of students across the country, particularly those from Manipur.
The CPI(M) condemned the alleged forcible removal of Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site by the Delhi Police, terming it a suppression of a peaceful democratic movement. It urged the authorities to address the concerns of the protesting students through dialogue instead of coercive measures.
The party demanded accountability for the alleged examination paper leaks, comprehensive reforms in the national examination system, and the safety and dignity of Sonam Wangchuk and the students participating in the protest.
The CPI(M) also extended support to the nationwide solidarity demonstrations held on July 20 in support of the hunger strikers and appealed to civil society organisations, student bodies and democratic forces in Manipur to support the campaign for students’ rights, educational justice and democratic values.