Arvind Kejriwal backs Sonam Wangchuk, says he should be India's Education Minister

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday made a strong pitch for education activist Sonam Wangchuk to head India's Education Ministry, saying "Sonam Wangchuk should be made the country's Education Minister" as he demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over repeated examination paper leaks.

Joining Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar, where the activist is leading a protest seeking reforms in the country's examination system, Kejriwal accused the Centre of failing to protect the interests of students and urged the government to treat recurring paper leaks as a national crisis.

"Every year, exam papers get leaked and youth pay the price. I appeal government to listen to students and Wangchuk," Kejriwal said while addressing the gathering.

Calling for political accountability, the former Delhi chief minister said Pradhan should step down over the repeated examination controversies and asserted that Wangchuk, who has become the face of the campaign demanding a transparent examination system, would be a more suitable choice to lead the ministry.

"I suggest the PM - remove Dharmendra Pradhan and make Sonam Wangchuk the Union Education Minister," Kejriwal said.

The AAP leader praised Wangchuk's campaign, saying the activist was not fighting for personal interests but for lakhs of students whose careers are affected every time an examination is compromised.

Referring to Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike, Kejriwal said he had put his own life at stake to demand reforms and expressed solidarity with students and campaigners seeking a fair and credible examination process.

Drawing a parallel with the anti-corruption movement, Kejriwal recalled his days at the same protest venue alongside social activist Anna Hazare.

"While coming here today, I was reminded of April 4, 2011, when I sat at this very place with Anna Hazare during the anti-corruption movement. Three years later, that government lost power because it failed to listen and allowed arrogance to overtake accountability," he said.

He said governments that ignore public sentiment eventually face consequences and urged the Centre to engage with students rather than dismiss their concerns.

According to Kejriwal, young people from across the country have united to demand structural reforms in the examination system after repeated incidents of question paper leaks eroded trust in recruitment and entrance examinations.

He said their voices deserved to be heard and called for immediate steps to restore transparency and credibility in the country's education system.

With PTI inputs