As climate activist and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk completed the 18th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, the Delhi High Court is set to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking urgent medical intervention, including hospitalisation and force-feeding, amid growing concerns that his condition has become life-threatening.

The petition, filed by advocate Rakesh Kumar Saini, urges the Centre and the Delhi government to immediately shift Wangchuk to a government hospital and provide life-saving treatment, arguing that his rapidly deteriorating health cannot be ignored. The plea specifically seeks directions for doctors to administer essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals through a liquid diet if necessary to preserve his life.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia is scheduled to hear the matter after concerns were raised that the activist's prolonged fast could prove fatal if urgent intervention is delayed. The court had earlier deferred the hearing due to the ongoing work abstention by the Delhi High Court Bar Association.

The legal move comes as Wangchuk's supporters warn that his health has reached a critical stage. Protest organisers claim he has lost nearly 9 kilograms since beginning his fast on June 28, with doctors monitoring him round the clock. Activists backing the protest have described the situation as a potential “matter of national shame” if the government allows a globally respected educator and innovator to die without initiating dialogue.

The hunger strike, launched in support of students protesting alleged irregularities in NEET 2026 and concerns over CBSE’s on-screen marking system, has drawn backing from leaders across the political spectrum. While AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is expected to meet Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar, opposition leaders including Mahua Moitra, Kirti Azad, Shashi Tharoor, Akhilesh Yadav and others have urged the Centre to engage with the activist before the crisis deepens.

Even as political parties trade accusations over the protest, the focus has increasingly shifted to Wangchuk’s health. Several public figures, including actors, writers and activists, have appealed to him to end his fast, while simultaneously demanding that the government open channels of communication.

With Parliament's Monsoon Session approaching and protesters planning a march to Parliament on July 20, Thursday’s hearing could prove crucial in determining whether the state can intervene medically to save Wangchuk's life while balancing his right to protest.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking urgent medical intervention for climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk, whose indefinite hunger strike entered its 18th day. The petition claims Wangchuk has lost around 8.5 kg and warns that he could lose his life within two days if immediate medical care is not provided.

PIL Seeks Immediate Medical Intervention for Sonam Wangchuk

The petition, filed by activist-lawyer Rakesh Kumar Saini, has asked the Delhi High Court to direct the Centre and the Delhi government to shift Sonam Wangchuk to a government hospital and, if required, begin medically supervised liquid nutrition to prevent his condition from deteriorating further.

The plea argues that preserving Wangchuk's life should be the highest priority, even if medical intervention has to be carried out against his wishes.

"If he passes away, it would be a matter of great shame for the country and the world," the petition states.

Educator Who Inspired Millions Now at the Centre of a Health Crisis

Sonam Wangchuk is widely known as an engineer, education reformer and environmental campaigner whose work in Ladakh has earned national and international recognition. His innovative approach to education inspired the fictional character of Phunsukh Wangdu in the Bollywood film ‘3 Idiots’, introducing his ideas to millions of Indians.

Today, the celebrated teacher and innovator is no longer making headlines for his educational reforms but for a hunger strike that, according to the petition, has pushed his health into a critical condition.

Petition Says Authorities Must Act to Protect Life

The PIL argues that while peaceful protest and hunger strikes are democratic rights, the State also has a constitutional duty to protect the life and health of every citizen.

It contends that allowing Wangchuk's condition to worsen without medical intervention would amount to a failure of that constitutional responsibility. The petition further alleges that the authorities have shown inadequate concern for his deteriorating health. The government has not publicly responded to the allegations made in the petition.

Sonam Wangchuk Has Lost Around 8.5 kg, Organisers Say

Wangchuk joined the indefinite hunger strike on 28 June after becoming part of protests organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Delhi's Jantar Mantar over alleged irregularities in NEET and other competitive examinations.

CJP claims he has lost around 8.5 kg since the fast began, raising concerns about his health. The petition warns that his condition has deteriorated significantly and urges immediate judicial intervention.

Support Grows as Public Figures Appeal to End Fast

Several public figures have appealed to Wangchuk to end his hunger strike while expressing support for the issues he has raised. Among them are author Arundhati Roy, actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, and economist Jayati Ghosh.

The protest continues to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities, including NEET.

Delhi High Court Hearing May Face Delay

The PIL has been filed with a request for urgent listing. However, it remains uncertain when the matter will be heard after the Delhi High Court Bar Association announced an abstention from work over the proposed enhancement of the pecuniary jurisdiction of district courts.

Growing Concern Over Sonam Wangchuk's Health

As concerns over Sonam Wangchuk's health continue to grow, attention is now focused on whether the Delhi High Court or the authorities will intervene before his condition worsens further.

For many Indians, Wangchuk is an educator whose work transformed classrooms, encouraged innovation and inspired generations to think differently. With his hunger strike entering its third week, the legal battle is no longer centred only on a protest, but on an urgent plea to save a life before it is too late.

The Counter Intelligence Wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police has arrested three publishers in connection with the publication and distribution of books allegedly containing content that glorifies separatism in Jammu and Kashmir. The action follows a controversy over books supplied to government schools under the Samagra Shiksha programme.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Inderpaul, associated with Jammu-based Oberoi Book Service, and Amardeep Singh and Girish Arora, linked to Noida-based Dominant Publishers. According to officials, raids were conducted at multiple locations in Jammu and Delhi on July 6 as part of the ongoing investigation.

Authorities stated that both Oberoi Book Service and Dominant Publishers had previously been blacklisted by the government. Investigators are now examining the publishers' involvement in printing and distributing books that allegedly contained objectionable material capable of promoting separatist ideology.

The controversy centers on two books—"Personalities and Legends of J&K," authored by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena and published by Oberoi Book Service, and "Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir," authored by Sushant Giri and published by Delhi-based Anurag Prakashan. The books were reportedly available in government school libraries and came under scrutiny after social and political groups raised objections, alleging that they glorified separatist leaders and included highly inappropriate content.

Following the complaints, the Counter Intelligence Wing registered an FIR on July 4 under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The charges include Sections 49 (abetment), 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), 152 (endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India), 196 (promoting enmity and disharmony), and 353 (publishing or circulating false statements, rumours, or reports) of the BNS, along with Section 13 of the UAPA.

Officials said the investigation aims to determine how the books were approved, published, and circulated despite the alleged objectionable content. The police are also examining whether established procedures for vetting educational material were ignored.

The issue has also prompted administrative action. On July 4, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered the suspension of eight officials and supervisory staff from the School Education Department over alleged negligence in approving the books.

An official departmental order stated that the books contained "highly inappropriate content" and pointed to serious negligence, dereliction of duty, and lack of due diligence by members of the screening committee and supervisory officers responsible for recommending the publications. The order further noted that the content had the potential to create law-and-order issues and undermine public confidence in the educational review process.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities indicating that additional action may follow as officials continue to examine the approval mechanism for educational books and identify those responsible for allowing the disputed publications into government schools.

King George's Medical University (KGMU) has added another remarkable chapter to its academic history as Deepti Sharma, an MBBS student from the 2021–26 batch, becomes only the seventh student to receive both the prestigious Hewett Gold Medal and the Chancellor’s Gold Medal at the university's convocation ceremony.

The dual honour recognizes Deepti Sharma as both the MBBS final professional topper and the best all-round graduate, highlighting her exceptional academic excellence and overall contribution to university life. Along with these two prestigious awards, she will also receive 16 additional medals and certificates, including the University Honors Gold Medal and the Provincial Medical Services Association (PMSA) Gold Medal.

The Hewett Gold Medal is awarded to the student securing the highest marks in the MBBS final professional examination, while the Chancellor’s Gold Medal recognizes the university's best all-round graduate. The University Honors Gold Medal acknowledges outstanding overall academic performance, whereas the PMSA Gold Medal is presented to the student with the highest cumulative marks across the first, second, and third MBBS professional examinations.

The university has also recognized excellence in dental education. Abhilasha Ghosh, the BDS topper, will receive seven gold and silver medals for her outstanding academic achievements.

Among other notable awardees, Nidhi Singh has been selected for the Dr. RML Mehrotra Memorial Gold Medal, awarded to the top-performing MBBS student in the Scheduled Caste category.

This year's convocation also marks the introduction of a new honour, the Vice-Chancellor Appreciation Award, which will recognize faculty members associated with the university's Trauma Team and the Hospital Revolving Fund Team for their dedicated service.

In another major recognition, Prof. Pradeep Tandon from the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics will receive the Lifetime Dedication Award for his distinguished contribution to medical education and patient care.

KGMU will award a total of 104 medals during this academic session. However, only the 20 most prestigious awards will be presented on stage during the main convocation ceremony, while the remaining medals will be distributed at a separate event.

The university will also honour toppers from various DM and MCh super-specialty courses, including Dr. Prabhat Shukla (Surgical Oncology), Dr. Preeti Gupta (Neurology), Dr. Saritesh Kumar Thakur (Neurology), Dr. Jitender Yadav (Urology), Dr. Rupal Prasad (Rheumatology), Dr. Saket Ramraika (Cardiology), Dr. Sidharth Sharma (Cardiology), Dr. Shubhra Srivastava (Pulmonary Medicine), Dr. Jason Golmei (Neurosurgery), and Dr. Shrivats Mishra (Plastic Surgery).

The convocation will be presided over by Uttar Pradesh Governor and KGMU Chancellor Anandiben Patel, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will attend as the chief guest. Dr. M. Srinivas, Member of NITI Aayog and former Director of AIIMS New Delhi, will be conferred the honorary Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) degree.

The ceremony will also witness the launch of several key public health initiatives, including Hriday Sanjeevani, a basic life support training programme for school and college students, a mobile CT scan service for the Trauma Centre, and the University Central Information Kendra, further strengthening KGMU's commitment to healthcare, education, and community outreach.

In a major step toward strengthening student leadership, civic responsibility, and participatory learning, the Tamil Nadu School Education Department has introduced a mock parliamentary-style student minister system across government schools for the current academic year. The initiative aims to provide students with hands-on leadership experience by involving them in various aspects of campus administration while promoting teamwork, accountability, and democratic values.

The new model has been integrated with the existing Magizh Mutram house system, under which students are grouped into five traditional Tamil landscape-themed houses—Kurinji, Mullai, Neithal, Marutham, and Paalai. Each house will elect student representatives, and five students securing the highest votes will be appointed as student ministers. Ministerial portfolios will then be assigned through a draw of lots.

The student ministers will oversee key areas including education, school safety, information and communication, environment and climate change, and hygiene and sanitation. Each portfolio comes with clearly defined responsibilities designed to improve school functioning while encouraging students to take ownership of their campus environment.

For example, the Education Minister will monitor student attendance, encourage academic participation, and support learning initiatives. The Information and Communication Minister will update school notice boards, disseminate announcements, and improve communication among students. The Environment and Climate Change Minister will lead campus greening activities, promote environmental awareness, and oversee plantation drives. Meanwhile, the Hygiene and Sanitation Minister will monitor classroom cleanliness and campus sanitation, helping maintain a healthy school environment.

According to T. Nakkeeran, Headmaster of Government Higher Secondary School, Kovalam, interested students were shortlisted before elections were conducted. "Five students, one from each house, who secured the highest votes were chosen as ministers, and portfolios were allotted through a draw of lots. The minister-elects also participated in a mock discussion where they presented their action plans and answered questions," he said.

The student ministers will work closely with house heads and class house leaders, with their performance contributing to their respective house scores. Schools already award house points for participation in extracurricular and co-curricular activities such as singing, drawing, essay writing, reading, and other classroom competitions. Ministerial performance will now become an additional factor in determining house rankings, creating a healthy spirit of competition and collaboration.

1. Karthika, a class house leader at Government Presidency Higher Secondary School, said the initiative has generated excitement among students. "Every action by ministers reflects on the house score. It motivates students to actively participate and contribute to school activities," she noted.

The School Education Department has also emphasized gender inclusivity. Co-educational government schools have been directed to ensure that at least three elected class house leaders are girls, with leadership roles rotating every month to provide equal opportunities for all students.

School Education Director S. Kannappan said the programme is designed to enhance student participation, improve learning outcomes, develop leadership skills, and nurture responsible future citizens. Chief Education Officers have been instructed to conduct regular inspections to ensure effective implementation of the initiative across schools.

Education experts believe the innovative programme will not only strengthen democratic values among students but also equip them with practical leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, preparing them to become responsible citizens and future leaders.

Jaipur School girl death case has left the country shocked after the video went viral. The parents of a nine-year-old girl who died after allegedly jumping from a school building at Jaipur's Neerja Modi School last year have released classroom CCTV footage, alleging it shows their daughter being repeatedly bullied by classmates before the incident. The family has renewed its demand for action under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.

Nearly eight months after the incident, the family said the CCTV footage supports its long-standing allegation that repeated bullying and the school's failure to intervene contributed to the child's death.

Parents Allege CCTV Shows Bullying Before Jaipur School Incident

According to the family, the CCTV footage shows Class 4 student Amayra entering the classroom, greeting a classmate and participating in a dance activity before allegedly being repeatedly bullied by other students.

The parents alleged that despite visible signs of distress, their daughter did not receive adequate intervention or protection from teachers and had repeatedly sought help.

9-Year-Old Died After Allegedly Jumping from School Building

Amayra allegedly jumped from the fourth floor of Neerja Modi School on November 1 last year. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

The family has alleged that continuous bullying and the school's failure to act contributed to the incident.

Parents Question Police Investigation

Amayra's father, Vijay Meena, and mother, Shivani, alleged that the school did not respond appropriately despite their daughter's repeated attempts to seek help. They also alleged that the police failed to properly investigate what happened inside the classroom and claimed the investigation was influenced by the school management. Rajasthan Police recently filed a chargesheet before a court in the case.

Family Seeks Action Under Juvenile Justice Act

The family has reiterated its demand for action against those they hold responsible under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. According to the parents, the newly released CCTV footage strengthens their allegations regarding the events leading up to their daughter's death.

Child Safety Concerns Raised

The Jaipur School Girl Death case has also renewed calls for stronger child protection measures in schools. Sanyukt Abhibhavak Sangh state president Arvind Agrawal said the case raises serious concerns about accountability in schools and called for strict enforcement of child safety norms, preservation of evidence and action against those found negligent.

The organisation's state spokesperson, Abhishek Jain, said the case highlighted the need for anti-bullying policies, qualified school counsellors, comprehensive CCTV surveillance and effective grievance redressal systems in private schools.