New Delhi: Activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk has reaffirmed that he will continue his indefinite hunger strike until at least July 20, despite doctors warning that his health has reached a critical stage after nearly three weeks without food. He has also appealed to supporters to participate in a proposed march to Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session.
Addressing supporters at the protest site, the 59-year-old activist said he remained mentally determined despite his physical weakness. He urged people to ensure a large turnout for the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) planned march to Parliament on July 20, describing it as an opportunity to present their demands peacefully before the country’s democratic institutions.
In a light-hearted remark, Wangchuk said he would “stay alive till July 20 at any cost” and jokingly added that he would “come back as a ghost” if supporters failed to make the march successful, drawing applause from those gathered.
Wangchuk is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET examination paper leak. He has maintained that ending the hunger strike without a response from the government would undermine the purpose of the protest.
Medical experts monitoring Wangchuk’s condition have expressed growing concern over the prolonged fast. According to doctors, he has lost around nine kilograms and has been surviving only on water for the past 20 days. They warned that the continued absence of nutrition has led the body to consume muscle and fat reserves and could eventually affect vital organs, making the situation potentially life-threatening.
Despite the medical advice, Wangchuk has refused to end the fast, reiterating that the focus should now be on ensuring the success of the July 20 Parliament march.
Meanwhile, the matter has also come before the Delhi High Court, which has directed the authorities to monitor Wangchuk’s health on a daily basis and provide immediate medical assistance if his condition deteriorates.
The protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party began on June 20, with Wangchuk joining the agitation on June 28. Since then, he has remained on an indefinite hunger strike, drawing nationwide attention to his demands and raising concerns over his deteriorating health.
