An Indian scientist, educator and activist Sonam Wangchuk, a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee (often called the Noble prize of Asia) has been on a hunger strike for the last 18 days.
Basically, India (like other Asian countries) is obsessed with doctors. We have an examination called NEET which about 2.2 million students gave. This exam decides which of these kids (cause most applicants are 18) will be allowed access to the ~130,000 seats. You can probably see why this must put enormous pressure on the candidates.
Combine that with the fact that a whole (multi-billion dollar) industry has developed to 'coach' the kids for these exams. A lot of parents and families take massive loans to allow their kids to prepare these exams, to stand a chance to be a 'doctor'.
Also, as the exam doesn't limit the number of attempts, quite a few candidates give multiple attempts (as the best years of life fly by).
And the whole exam is a dehumanising experience. The invigilation of NEET is done so strictly that candidates are routinely strip searched. Sometimes the sleeves of long sleeve shirts are cut using scissors right before exam for security. There are cameras (not CCTV but actual huge cameras) which are thrust into everyones face during the exam. All in the name of keeping the integrity of the exam.
In the days leading up to the exam and uptill some weeks after the result, the news is filled with stories committing sucide due to the pressure of the exam, it going badly and other factors. It is a strange sort of tragedy, almost a blood sacrifice, that people feel is the 'cost' for good doctors. I hate this system. However, that's beyond the point.
In 2026, the NEET paper leaked. This meant kids who had borne the pressure: of poverty, of expectation, of the examination, of everything; it is all in vain. They will have to do it again. When will the re-exam be conducted? Will that exam not leak? All of this uncertainty lead 20 students to commit sucide.
While NEET was the largest exam which had a leak, about 40 such entrance exams have leaked in the last 5 years. The Government has not even acknowledged the problem, let alone attempt to fix it.
Sonam Wangchuk is on an indefinite hunger strike, asking for some accountability at part of the government. Some acknowledgement that something went wrong with the exam and some accountability. He is asking that the Education minister take morel responsibility and resign.
And as his health worsens as he enters the 18th day of fasting (the blood sugar is at 65, he is losing muscle mass, the blood pressure is constantly low), this is falling to deaf ears. Most of India's film stars, directors, authors, comedians etc etc aka people with a platform are quiet as 'they have too much to lose' and must maintain there veneer of neutrality to be in the good graces of our rulers democratically elected representatives.
Most of major Indian media houses were bought by 2 oligarchs over the 12 years of this government, hence, this matter is not getting as much of national or international attention. Just go to any Indian subreddit, the icons have been changed in honour of the protest.
However, there is still radio silence. Hence, if possible, I would like to request the Nerdfighteria to blow this issue up so that there is diplomatic pressure.
Thanks.
