Sonam Wangchuk’s health visibly worsens as he completes 16 days of hunger strike
NEW DELHI: Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health has worsened significantly on the 16th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, with his blood glucose level dropping to 67 mg/dL and weight loss reaching 8.2 kg, the Cockroach Janta Party said on Monday.Wangchuk joined the CJP protests on June 28 and has been on an indefinite fast since then. His blood pressure was recorded at 107/70 mm Hg, according to a health update shared by the party.CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka warned that the next few days would be critical and that protesters could be arrested under NSA or UAPA, either before or after the planned march to Parliament on July 20.”Over the next few days, we will be called Anti-Nationals, Urban Naxals, Pakistanis. We might be arrested either before 20th or right afterwards. Probably under NSA/UAPA. And jailed for years. But that’s a price we are ready to pay,” Ranka said in a post on X. “The question is — will we all wake up and hold this government accountable? Will we rise and make sure this government can no longer ignore us? Will we ensure that Dharmendra Pradhan, who is directly responsible for 20 suicides and countless destroyed futures, is no longer the education minister of our country?” he added. The CJP protest at Jantar Mantar over alleged examination irregularities entered Day 24 on Monday. The party is demanding Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and ₹1 crore compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide over examination irregularities.A delegation from the AAP, led by former Delhi chief minister Atishi, visited the protest site and expressed solidarity with the agitation. CPI(M) MP Amra Ram and senior party leaders also extended support, backing the proposed peaceful march to Parliament on July 20. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has also relayed his support and concern for Wangchuk.Members of the CPI(ML) Liberation-affiliated All India Students’ Association continued their indefinite hunger strike on a separate stage at the protest site, stating that their health had deteriorated further but the protest would continue.Dipke appealed to the government not to turn the issue into “a battle of egos” as human lives were at stake. “Acknowledging a mistake is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of maturity, accountability and the willingness to correct course. All we are asking for is accountability.”
