Breaking News Highlights: Congress backs Sonam Wangchuk's demand for education minister's resignation, urges him to end fast
Synopsis
Breaking News Highlights: Congress leader K.C. Venugopal said activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for 19 days demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister, adding that the Congress has been raising the same demand for over a month and a half. Venugopal said the party shares Wangchuk's anguish and outrage over what it described as the Modi government's lack of accountability, particularly over the collapse of the examination system.
KC Venugopal
Breaking News Highlights: Congress leader K.C. Venugopal said activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for 19 days demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister, adding that the Congress has been raising the same demand for over a month and a half. Venugopal said the party shares Wangchuk's anguish and outrage over what it described as the Modi government's lack of accountability, particularly over the collapse of the examination system. Appealing to Wangchuk to end his fast in view of his health, Venugopal said his concerns are shared by the Congress and other Opposition parties, and assured that they would continue to press the Modi government for the Education Minister's resignation.
In other news, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday carried out searches at 13 premises across West Bengal, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Maharashtra in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged terror funding and illegal infiltration network.
The raids began early this morning under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, covering the premises of suspects. Among places searched by the ED's Lucknow zonal office team in close coordination with state police are Batla House and Madanpur Khadar in New Delhi; Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh; Raigarh in Maharashtra; South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Kolkata and Murshidabad in West Bengal.
In another news, observing that “life is precious”, the court said government doctors should conduct periodic medical examinations of Wangchuk. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the court that the government had no objection to regular medical check-ups, stressing that the life of every individual is valuable.
Ahead of the hearing, Wangchuk reiterated that he would continue his fast, saying ending it would send the wrong message about the seriousness of the protest. In a video message, he said his vital health indicators remain stable despite muscle loss and urged supporters to participate in a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20 instead of asking him to call off the hunger strike.
In other news, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday carried out searches at 13 premises across West Bengal, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Maharashtra in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged terror funding and illegal infiltration network.
The raids began early this morning under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, covering the premises of suspects. Among places searched by the ED's Lucknow zonal office team in close coordination with state police are Batla House and Madanpur Khadar in New Delhi; Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh; Raigarh in Maharashtra; South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Kolkata and Murshidabad in West Bengal.
In another news, observing that “life is precious”, the court said government doctors should conduct periodic medical examinations of Wangchuk. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the court that the government had no objection to regular medical check-ups, stressing that the life of every individual is valuable.
Ahead of the hearing, Wangchuk reiterated that he would continue his fast, saying ending it would send the wrong message about the seriousness of the protest. In a video message, he said his vital health indicators remain stable despite muscle loss and urged supporters to participate in a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20 instead of asking him to call off the hunger strike.
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Congress backs Sonam Wangchuk's demand for education minister's resignation, urges him to end fast
Shri Sonam Wangchuk has now been on a hunger strike for 19 days, demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister. The Indian National Congress has been making this very demand for over a month and a half. We share the anguish and outrage that Shri Wangchuk ji feels, especially due to the lack of accountability within the Modi Govt - for the collapse of the examination system in particular. In view of his health condition, we appeal to Shri Wangchuk to end his fast. His concerns are our concerns and that of other Opposition parties as well. Rest assured, we will continue to confront the Modi government and demand the Education Minister’s resignation: KC Venugopal
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