Activist Sonam Wangchuk Refuses to End Fast, Urges Public to Join July 20 Protest

Activist Sonam Wangchuk Refuses to End Fast, Urges Public to Join July 20 Protest

New Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk has refused to end his hunger strike despite growing concerns over his health, saying doing so without a response from the government would send the “wrong message.”

In an Instagram video shared late Wednesday, Wangchuk, who is on the 19th day of his fast after joining the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest, said medical tests indicated his condition remained stable despite weakness.

“I have received thousands of messages asking me to break my fast. But if I eat now, what message will go? It will tell the government there is no need to respond to the protesters,” he said.

The 59-year-old urged supporters to participate in the CJP’s protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on July 20, calling on citizens, including students, to join the movement and help take the issue to Members of Parliament.

His appeal came after a petition in the Delhi High Court claimed he may not survive the next 48 hours without medical intervention and sought directions to force-feed him. The plea accused the authorities of remaining insensitive to his condition.

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Later, the Delhi High Court directed the Centre to take all necessary steps to protect Wangchuk’s life, observing that every citizen’s life is precious and authorities must make every effort to save it.

Wangchuk is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities, including question paper leaks in competitive examinations such as NEET-UG.