Our hunger strike was a challenge to the government: AISA Delhi Secretary Neha
Student activists from the All India Students Association (AISA) reflect on their 23-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, which coincided with the resignation of the Education Minister. The piece explores the collaboration between established Left-wing student unions and new social media-driven movements in the context of ongoing political protests.
Why it matters
This report provides insight into the organizational dynamics of student-led protests in India and the evolving landscape of political activism among the youth.
Six of them sat on a hunger strike, a little way away from the main dais at Jantar Mantar, surrounded by their colleagues from the All India Students Association (AISA). Slightly off to the side from where the spotlights were trained on activist Sonam Wangchuk . Three of the six were still around after Mr. Wangchuk was forcibly admitted to hospital by the Delhi Police on July 18. On July 25, when Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation, they were still there at Jantar Mantar.
They had sat there for 23 days. Doctors took their blood pressure, conducted ECGs, and pricked their arms for blood tests, all out there among the heaving masses who gathered around them.
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