Activist Sonam Wangchuk has entered his 17th day of hunger strike on Tuesday, urging political leaders and supporters to act. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke shared an update regarding Wangchuk’s health as he’s losing muscle and is in severe pain.
Abhijeet also shared his conversation with Wangchuk. Like everyone else, he also begged him to stop his hunger strike. The CJP founder says, “He has started losing muscle mass and is in severe pain. Although many have appealed to him to end his fast.” Wangchuk said, ‘Don’t ask me to end my fast. Ask the government why they don’t even hold a dialogue.’
On Tuesday, 14th July, Wangchuk’s hunger strike entered its 17th day, while the CJP protest against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has entered its 25th day.
According to the latest health update shared on X by Dipke, his blood pressure is at 109/70, has lost 8.5kg of weight and his blood glucose level is 67. He requested the government not to treat the protest as a matter of ego, saying the movement is just for seeking accountability and that lives are at stake.
“I request the government not to turn this into a battle of ego, as human lives are at stake, and acknowledging the mistake is a sign of accountability and maturity, not weakness.” said by wangchuk.
Sonam Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) have received support from political leaders. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra appeals to Wangchuk to end his hunger strike and then continue to protest. On X, she said his protest had already united many young people and urged him to take care of his health while continuing to protest.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) former Chief Minister Atishi also visited the protest site on Monday and extended its support to the protest.
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also extended his support to the protest on behalf of Shiv Sena. On X, in a post, he announced his party’s support for the movement led by Sonam Wangchuk and Abhijeet Dipke, while urging Wangchuk to end his indefinite hunger strike.
From Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, CPI(M) MP Amra Ram with senior CPI(M), has also visited the protest site. The leaders also extended their support to the peaceful march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament on 20th July.
The CJP began its protest on June 20th, and Wangchuk joined it on 28th, and has remained on an indefinite hunger strike since then.
The organisation is seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and ₹1 crore in compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide over reported examination irregularities. It has also planned a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session.
