Sonam Wangchuk loses 8.2 kg in 16 days of hunger strike at Cockroach Party protest

Newdelhi,UPDATED: Jul 13, 2026 16:35 IST

Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has lost 8.2 kg since beginning his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, the Cockroach Janta Party said on Monday. The party also said his blood glucose level had fallen to 67 mg/dL, as it urged the Centre to respond to the protesters' demands.

With Wangchuk's fast entering Day 16, the CJP said his health had worsened further. The party's protest over alleged examination irregularities entered Day 24 on Monday, even as opposition leaders and student groups continued to extend support at the site.

According to a health update shared by the CJP, Wangchuk's blood pressure was recorded at 107/70 mm Hg. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke appealed to the government not to turn the issue into what he called "a battle of egos".

"Day 16 of Wangchuk's hunger strike. I request the government not to turn this into a battle of egos as human lives are at stake here," Dipke said in a post on X. "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," he added.

On the day, an AAP delegation led by former Delhi chief minister Atishi visited the protest site and expressed solidarity with the agitation, according to the CJP. CPI(M) MP Amra Ram, along with senior CPI(M) leaders from Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, also visited the site and backed the demands. The visiting leaders also supported the proposed peaceful march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament on July 20.

According to the CJP, the AAP delegation reiterated its support for the movement, called for a transparent, fair and credible examination system, and backed the demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Members of the CPI(ML) Liberation-affiliated All India Students' Association, Neha, Manish, Deepak and Aameen, continued their indefinite hunger strike on a separate stage at the protest site.

In a statement, the AISA said Atishi met the students on hunger strike and expressed concern over what it described as the state of democracy, where students had remained on an indefinite fast for weeks without any positive response from the government. It also said the health of the students on hunger strike had deteriorated further, but asserted that the protest would continue.

The CJP has been demanding Pradhan's resignation and Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide over alleged examination irregularities. The protest began on June 20, while Wangchuk joined it on June 28 and has been on an indefinite hunger strike since, with the group also planning a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session.

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