Medical staff check on environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk on the 18th day of his indefinite hunger strike as part of the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi
NEW DELHI: Sonam Wangchuk on Tuesday said he is “not in good shape, but not so bad” as his indefinite hunger strike against alleged examination irregularities and the NEET paper leak entered Day 19.In a video message shared on X, Wangchuk urged people to join the scheduled march to Parliament on July 20 rather than asking him to break his fast.”Thousands of you have sent me messages asking me to end my hunger strike and eat something. Many senior leaders have come to meet me—some speaking with affection, others urging me sternly. Some have even appealed to the court, asking the government to force-feed me,” Wangchuk said. “There are two things I want to say. First, even if I break my fast, what will change? What message will that send? The only message the government will receive is that there is no need for accountability. People sit on a protest, and then they simply leave,” he added.Despite his deteriorating health, Wangchuk asserted that he can continue his hunger strike for “several more days” and said that his heart and core health are still functioning well. “Second, my condition is not such that I will die in 24 days. I have undergone many medical tests, and for someone who has been fasting for 18 days, the results have been quite normal. I even had an ECG today, and it was not bad. So I can continue for several more days. Yes, I am weak. My muscles are wasting away, but my heart and core health are still functioning well,” he said.”So instead of only asking me to end my fast, I request all of you to take one small step yourselves. On July 20, come out in such large numbers that a clear message reaches the government,” he added.This comes as Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke claimed that Wangchuk has been losing muscle mass and is in “immense pain”, adding that the activist has lost 8.5 kg since the beginning of his fast.Earlier in the day, a plea was filed in the Delhi High Court seeking to force-feed Wangchuk and shift him to a government hospital.According to the petition, Wangchuk’s condition has worsened significantly, and he could lose his life within two days if the hunger strike continues. It urged the court to intervene immediately, arguing that saving his life is of paramount importance.Earlier, several Opposition leaders appealed to Wangchuk to end his indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.The CJP protest at Jantar Mantar, which began on June 20, is demanding Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in NEET and other examinations. The organisation has announced a march to Parliament on July 20.
