Kolkata: Citizens from different walks of life either took to the streets or observed a symbolic hunger strike on Monday in solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk, the students and the Cockroach Janata Party. They highlighted the irregularities at national exams, including paper leaks and the NEET controversy.They also protested against the police lathi-charge on students on Monday during the protest, demanding resignation of the Union education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan.About 1,500 citizens walked from Jadavpur 8B to Golpark. The protest was organised by Left Student Organisations and the Student-Youth Fraternity. Jadavpur University student Tonika Deb, said, “The protest was in solidarity with Wangchuk and the students who were on hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. We want a transparent and corruption free education system.”Presidency University (PU) students observed a symbolic hunger strike on the campus and also held a protest rally in College Street. “We demand that there should be an end to paper leaks and corruption,” said Ushasree Mitra, a PU student. At Calcutta Medical College, students and several on-duty doctors also observed a 12-hour symbolic hunger strike. Tarun Kanti Naskar, general secretary of All India Save Education Committee said, “We held a rally from JU to Jadavpur 8B.” JU teachers, non-teaching staff and students also held a solidarity meet at the Aurobindo Bhavan. Seven students of the Indian Statistical Institute observed a symbolic fasting.
