New Delhi: Education reformer and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination entered its 20th day on Friday, with doctors warning that his health has reached a critical stage and activists, politicians and public figures urging for an urgent dialogue.
Wangchuk, who joined the student-led protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on June 28, has refused to end his fast, saying doing so without any response from the government would send the wrong message. Instead, he has appealed to supporters to participate in large numbers in the proposed Parliament march on July 20 organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is spearheading the agitation.
According to media reports, Wangchuk has lost more than nine kilograms during the fast and now weighs about 56.9 kg. Doctors monitoring his condition said his glucose reserves have been exhausted and his body has begun consuming muscle tissue for energy, raising concerns that prolonged fasting could soon affect vital organs. He remains under round-the-clock medical observation.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday had directed the authorities to ensure Wangchuk undergoes daily medical examinations by government doctors and that any necessary medical intervention is provided without delay. While hearing a public interest litigation over his deteriorating health, the court observed that every citizen’s life is precious and that all efforts should be made to protect it. The Centre informed the court that Wangchuk was being regularly examined by doctors and appropriate treatment would be administered whenever required.
The protest has continued to gather political support. Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) MP Supriya Sule, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait and several other Opposition leaders have visited Jantar Mantar to express solidarity with Wangchuk and the protesting students. Kejriwal reiterated his demand for the resignation of the Union Education Minister, urging the Centre to respond to the concerns of students and youth.
The Congress has also backed the demand for accountability over alleged examination irregularities. Senior party leader K.C. Venugopal appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast in view of his worsening health while assuring him that the Opposition would continue to press the government on the issue. The party has also launched its “Chhatron Ki Goonj” campaign highlighting alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.
Student organisations, including the All India Students’ Association (AISA), Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS) and the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), have continued to participate in the protest. According to AISA, the health of three of its activists observing an indefinite hunger strike has also deteriorated sharply. One activist has reportedly been advised immediate hospitalisation after developing severe hypoglycaemia, while the others have experienced significant weight loss and declining health.
Meanwhile, a group of eminent academics, writers, filmmakers, artists and public intellectuals has appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast while urging the government to initiate dialogue with him. Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee, writers Arundhati Roy, Amitav Ghosh and Anita Desai, filmmakers Zoya Akhtar, Mira Nair, Kiran Rao and Vikramaditya Motwane, along with actors Nandita Das, Freida Pinto and Jim Sarbh, are among those who have signed the appeal. They described Wangchuk as a committed public servant and urged the government to engage with his concerns through democratic dialogue.
Wangchuk has maintained that he will continue his hunger strike until the government responds to the demands raised by the movement, arguing that ending the protest without any assurance would undermine public faith in democratic accountability.
