Sonam Wangchuk’s Fast Enters Day 16: Health Concerns Mount, Calls for Dialogue Grow Louder

Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk has now spent 16 days on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, and his health is visibly deteriorating. According to a…

By Reetam Bodhak

July 14, 2026

3 min read

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Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk has now spent 16 days on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, and his health is visibly deteriorating. According to a health bulletin shared by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Wangchuk has lost 8.2 kg since the fast began, with his blood glucose dropping to 67 mg/dL and blood pressure recorded at 107/70 mm Hg.

Sonam Wangchuk’s Fast Key Numbers

Metric	Reading
Weight lost	8.2 kg
Blood glucose level	67 mg/dL
Blood pressure	107/70 mm Hg
Days on hunger strike	16 (as of Monday)
CJP protest duration	24 days

Wangchuk joined the CJP-led protest on June 28, following earlier demonstrations over alleged irregularities in national examinations, including the NEET 2026 paper leak and CBSE on-screen marking issues. The protest is also tied to Wangchuk’s long-running campaign for Ladakh’s statehood and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution — demands he has raised through multiple hunger strikes since 2023.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has urged the Centre to treat the situation with urgency, stating that human lives are at stake and calling for the government to engage in dialogue rather than let the standoff continue. He noted that protesters have repeatedly appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast, but the activist has maintained he will continue until the government responds to the group’s demands.

NEW DELHI, INDIA – JULY 1: Activist Sonam Wangchuk continues his indefinite hunger strike for the fourth consecutive day in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demands the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following unprecedented paper leak irregularities during the national NEET-UG 2026 medical entrance examinations, at Janatar Mantar on Wednesday morning on July 1, 2026 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Vipin Kumar/Hindustan Times/Sipa USA)

The situation has drawn additional concern after AISA activist Deepak, also on a 16-day fast, was hospitalized following a sharp health decline, having reportedly lost around 15% of his body weight. Meanwhile, political voices — including Aam Aadmi Party’s Atishi — have voiced support for the protesters, while a march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament is planned for July 20, coinciding with the start of the Monsoon Session.

As of now, there has been no formal government response addressing the protesters’ core demands, though CJP organizers say informal indications of willingness to talk have surfaced.

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