SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday criticised the Centre over its response to the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar, alleging that its refusal to engage with the protesting youth reflected a “colonial mindset”.
The distressing scenes unfolding at Jantar Mantar, where Sonam Wangchuk is risking his life to safeguard the future of our Gen Z evoke memories of the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters to liberate India from colonial rule. The British may have left but the colonial mindset…
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 17, 2026
In a post on X, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister referred to the indefinite hunger strike by Ladakhi educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is participating in a youth-led protest over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
“The distressing scenes unfolding at Jantar Mantar, where Sonam Wangchuk is risking his life to safeguard the future of our Gen Z, evoke memories of the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters to liberate India from colonial rule. The British may have left, but the colonial mindset seems to endure,” Mufti said.
Questioning the Centre’s approach, she said it was difficult to understand why a democratically elected government had not engaged with the protesting youth.
“How else can one explain the indifference of a democratically elected Government that remains so callous that it refuses to engage with the youth at Jantar Mantar, the very generation that will shape India’s future?” she said.
The protest at Jantar Mantar began on June 20, demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and has since been on an indefinite hunger strike.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and compensation of Rs crore for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide in connection with the alleged examination irregularities.
