'Don't Ask Me to Eat, Join July 20 March': Sonam Wangchuk's Message to Supporters

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has refused to end his indefinite hunger strike , saying doing so without any response from the government would undermine the purpose of the protest and send a message that public accountability is unnecessary.

Addressing supporters through a video message on Day 18 of his fast, Wangchuk said he had received thousands of requests from well-wishers, political leaders and supporters urging him to eat. Some, he revealed, had even approached the courts seeking directions for him to end his fast.

However, Wangchuk maintained that ending the protest without achieving its objective would weaken the movement. He questioned what would change if he broke the fast now, insisting that the focus should instead be on strengthening the ongoing campaign.

Seeking to reassure supporters worried about his health, Wangchuk said medical examinations, including an ECG , had not indicated any immediate danger. While acknowledging physical weakness and muscle loss after nearly three weeks without food, he said his heart and core health remained stable and that doctors believed he could continue for several more days.

Rather than urging him to stop fasting, Wangchuk appealed to people across the country to participate in the Cockroach Janta Party's 'Chalo Sansad' march on July 20 , coinciding with the opening day of Parliament's Monsoon Session.

He made a special appeal to schools, colleges and universities to treat the march as a practical lesson in democracy and political science under the National Education Policy , encouraging students to witness democratic participation firsthand.

Wangchuk also asked supporters to register through the campaign's website or missed-call initiative, expressing confidence that a massive turnout would send a strong message to the government and ensure the issue reaches Parliament.

The Cockroach Janta Party has been protesting at Jantar Mantar , demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination , and has called for the Parliament march on July 20 .