Sonam Wangchuk’s Health Worsens as Hunger Strike Enters Day 16, Opposition Leaders Extend Support

Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health has deteriorated further as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 16th day, according to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is leading protests over alleged examination irregularities.

The CJP said on Monday that Wangchuk has lost 8.2 kilograms since joining the fast and that his blood glucose level has dropped to 67 mg/dL. His blood pressure was recorded at 107/70 mm Hg. The organisation’s broader protest entered its 24th day.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke appealed to the Central government to engage with the protesters instead of allowing the issue to escalate. In a post on X, he urged the government not to treat the matter as a battle of egos, saying that accountability and dialogue were needed while lives were at stake.

The protest received fresh political backing from Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, who called on all political parties to support the agitation without party symbols. He also urged Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi to join the movement.

Thackeray said there was nothing inappropriate about demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. At the same time, he appealed to Wangchuk to end his hunger strike, saying his life was valuable and expressing concern that the government had not responded to the protest.

He also announced that Shiv Sena (UBT) would organise demonstrations in Maharashtra on July 20, the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, in support of the planned march to Parliament. The party’s Members of Parliament are also expected to raise the issue during the session.

Congress leader Pawan Khera also voiced concern over Wangchuk’s health, accusing the BJP led Central government of failing to engage with the protest despite the activist’s prolonged fast. He compared the situation with the previous UPA government’s engagement during Anna Hazare’s Lokpal movement.

Earlier in the day, a delegation from the Aam Aadmi Party led by former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi visited the protest site and expressed support for the agitation, according to the CJP. CPI(M) MP Amra Ram and senior party leaders from Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan also visited the venue and backed both the protesters’ demands and the planned Parliament march.

Meanwhile, members of the All India Students’ Association, affiliated with CPI(ML) Liberation, continued their own indefinite hunger strike at a separate stage at the protest site. The student organisation said Atishi met the participants and expressed concern over their declining health and the government’s lack of response, while reaffirming that the protest would continue.

The CJP has been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide in connection with alleged examination irregularities. The protest began on June 20, while Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and has remained on an indefinite hunger strike since then. The organisation has also announced a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20.