Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for 17 days [3].
The protest seeks to pressure the central government and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to address student demands regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam papers [4, 5].
Wangchuk is supported by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which has raised concerns over the activist's deteriorating health. According to health data, Wangchuk has lost 8.2 kg since the start of the strike [1]. His blood glucose level was reported at 67 mg/dL [1].
Supporters allege that the protest environment has been intentionally degraded. A CJP statement said that Delhi Police cut water and sanitation facilities at Jantar Mantar shortly after the hunger strike began [2]. The party further alleged that police denied the activist access to a portable toilet [2].
As the strike continues, the CJP has placed the responsibility for Wangchuk's well-being on the government. A CJP spokesperson said that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan would be directly responsible if anything happened to activist Sonam Wangchuk [6].
The strike began recently, with early reports noting its second day before it extended to the current 17-day mark [2, 3]. The protest remains focused on the central government's response to the student-led grievances over the national medical entrance examination.
“"Delhi Police cut water and sanitation facilities at Jantar Mantar shortly after the hunger strike began."”
The hunger strike by a high-profile figure like Sonam Wangchuk elevates the NEET-UG controversy from a student grievance to a broader human rights and governance issue. By linking the protest to the denial of basic sanitation and water, the CJP is framing the government's response as not only administratively negligent regarding exam leaks but actively hostile toward peaceful dissent.
