STATEMENT | July 18, 2026
CPI(ML) Liberation strongly condemns the early morning police crackdown on the student-youth movement for justice and accountability at Jantar Mantar, Delhi. The hijacking of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike for 21 days, and the attempted kidnapping of AISA hunger strikers once again expose the Modi-BJP government's deep hostility towards students and youth.
The Modi government has resorted to repression because it has no answers to the growing anger against corruption, paper leaks and the systematic destruction of the public education system. Instead of addressing the legitimate demands of the protesters, it has chosen intimidation, force and the suppression of democratic dissent.
Despite the forceful removal of Sonam Wangchuk, the students foiled the police's attempt to disrupt the movement. AISA comrades Neha, Manish and Aameen, along with other hunger strikers, are continuing the indefinite hunger strike carrying the struggle forward.
We stand with Sonam Wangchuk and salute his courage and determination. We also salute the exemplary strength, resilience and resolve of the student protesters, who have refused to bow before state repression.
We call upon all sections of society to unite against this tyranny and join the July 20 Parliament March call given by the student-youth movement, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the disbanding of the NTA, the scrapping of NEP 2020, an end to corruption and paper leaks in the examination system, and the guarantee of affordable, inclusive and quality education for all.
-- Central Committee, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation
