26 days, 11kg lost, still fasting
Sonam Wangchuk has gone 26 days without food, shedding 11kg in his protest. The activist, who has become a central figure in the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, was taken to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram after being forcibly removed from the protest location at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. There, he is being looked after by a team of medical experts. According to the hospital, his condition is currently stable, with his vital signs within acceptable ranges.
Before being hospitalized, Wangchuk survived for 21 days in Delhi's intense summer heat, relying only on salt and water. Medanta Hospital shared a statement confirming he had been placed in the ICU for treatment. Doctors are working together to manage his health, and all interventions are with his full understanding and consent.
Demands unchanged, appeals ignored
Wangchuk has ignored all calls to stop his fast. These have come from a wide range of individuals, including opposition members of parliament, celebrities, and Health Minister JP Nadda. In a video posted from his hospital bed, Wangchuk explained that he would only stop his hunger strike if the government promised not to use force or take retaliatory action against students. He linked his decision to continue the strike with the brutal police actions during Monday's demonstration.
He expressed his personal wish to end the fast, noting the importance of his work. However, he stressed that his health and life would be at risk if the government's response was not assured. In his statement, he praised the students who remained calm during the Monday confrontation, and he felt compelled to press on with his protest to honor their restraint.
Health Minister Nadda, who visited Wangchuk at the hospital, urged him to end his fast and said the government was open to dialogue about the issues at hand. But Wangchuk remains unmoved. In a recent message, he did not mention the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, though the CJP leadership insists this remains their core demand.
Thousands persist in protests, arrests follow
Despite the police crackdown on Monday's demonstration, which left many demonstrators and officers injured, thousands still show up at Jantar Mantar each day. The protest has continued in a round-the-clock format, even as authorities deployed heavy police and paramilitary forces to the area.
During the Monday clash, at least 60 demonstrators and 118 police officers were hurt. Police used batons and tear gas to control the crowd, and they arrested 70 protesters. Most have since been released on bail. In addition, the protest stage and tents were taken down. Demonstrators, however, remain steadfast.
Protesters believe the recent closure of 16 Delhi metro stations in central areas is an effort to prevent people from reaching the protest site. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has reiterated the group's demand for Pradhan's resignation, insisting they will not let their cause go unnoticed. Wangchuk's strike, he said, must not be in vain.
Students leading the CJP blame Pradhan for the repeated leaks of public exams, particularly the recent medical entrance test. They argue he should take responsibility for these incidents and step down. This has led to growing pressure on the government, as the movement has drawn in a large youth base.
The remark, which caused widespread backlash, was later clarified to refer only to individuals with 'fake and bogus degrees.' Despite this, CJP has evolved into a powerful street movement.
Monday's massive turnout demonstrated the CJP's growing strength. Though not a registered political party, it has become a visible force, drawing tens of thousands into the streets. Wangchuk's hunger strike and the student protests have created one of the biggest political confrontations in recent years against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
Video footage of police dragging Gandhi away sparked public outrage, further fueling the momentum of the CJP movement.