Sonam Wangchuk’s 16‑Day Hunger Strike: Health in Peril
Sonam Wangchuk, the 59‑year‑old climate activist, sits on a mattress at the historic Jantar Mantar site in Delhi, on what has become a 16‑day hunger strike. His body has shed 8.2kg (18lb) and his blood glucose has dropped to 67, while doctors are warning that his condition is deteriorating.
The protest began when the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after a national medical entrance exam was cancelled following a paper leak. CJP, led by Abhijeet Dipke, has called Pradhan "a B‑team of disruptive elements" and wants him to step down.
Despite the flood of messages from teachers, students and politicians urging Wangchuk to quit, the activist insists he will only end the fast if the government takes responsibility for the exam mishap and makes reforms to the national education system.
Wangchuk, known worldwide for creating the “ice stupa” to store winter meltwater for winter agriculture, has received a Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018 and inspired the Bollywood hit Three Idiots. He sees his hunger strike as a non‑violent way of turning the government’s conscience, following the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi.
After months of crowding at Jantar Mantar and quiet support from thousands of MPs, the CJP plans to march to Parliament on July 20 and demand a meeting with the government. Lawmakers from all major parties appear to have visited the protest, but no one from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has entered the site or engaged in a dialogue.
Stay tuned for live updates!
