15 Days Without Food: Sonam Wangchuk’s Health Declines As Jantar Mantar Protest Intensifies

Climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk’s health condition continued to deteriorate on Sunday as his indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar entered its 15th day. Doctors monitoring his health recorded a further drop in his blood pressure to 104/66 mm Hg , while his total weight loss since beginning the fast on June 28 reached 7.8 kg .

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities, also entered its 23rd day on Sunday. The organisation said several political leaders, activists and public figures were expected to visit the protest site, including former Kerala ministers K K Shylaja, K N Balagopal and P Rajeev , along with Samajwadi Party MP Pushpendra Saroj .

Economist Jayati Ghosh was scheduled to deliver a lecture on unemployment during the evening as part of the ongoing protest activities. Meanwhile, members of the AISA’s parallel hunger strike , Neha, Manish, Deepak Kumar Verma and Aameen, continued their fast from a separate stage.

The latest developments came a day after actor Prakash Raj extended support to the protesters, joining former Kerala finance minister Thomas Isaac and Tripura Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury in backing the demand for a transparent examination system. The leaders also expressed support for the CJP’s planned march to Parliament on July 20 , which coincides with the opening day of the Monsoon Session.

In a video message, Wangchuk urged people not to compare him with Mahatma Gandhi , saying he was “just an ordinary citizen” and not a “hero.” He appealed to citizens to take responsibility for their own civic duties instead of searching for a single leader to bring change.

Wangchuk has maintained that his hunger strike is voluntary and falls under the constitutional right to peaceful protest. He has warned that any forced removal would violate his fundamental rights.

Doctors have raised concerns over continued muscle loss and low blood sugar levels during the fast. Although Wangchuk had earlier said his condition had briefly stabilised, his health indicators have shown further decline.

The government has so far not held talks with the protesters, according to CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka . The organisation continues to press for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and Rs 1 crore compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide in connection with the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.

The CJP protest began on June 20 and has continued at Jantar Mantar amid growing support from political leaders, activists and public personalities.