Sonam Wangchuk: Indian activist on fast for 20 days refuses to end hunger strike

Indian activist on fast for 20 days refuses to end hunger strike

Indian activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk has refused to end his indefinite hunger strike despite growing calls for him to do so.

The 59-year-old has been on a fast for the past 20 days, consuming nothing but salt and water, and has lost more than 9kg.

"I've grown weak from the outside but I'm strong from within," Wangchuk told the crowd gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, where the activist has been protesting. His statement was met with cheers and applause.

The activist has been protesting in support of an online satirical movement called the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) who are seeking educational reforms.

On Friday, the official X account of CJP shared a short video of Wangchuk speaking to the crowds gathered in front of the dais on which he has been sitting in protest.

Wangchuk looked noticeably frail and even though he spoke into a mic, his voice sounded feeble.

He urged the crowd to participate in a protest march that has been organised by the CJP on Monday.

"Together, we will march peacefully to the parliament and put forward our petitions at the altar of democracy," he said.

The activist then joked that if he died before the march, his "ghost would join the march".

The protesters are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after a key entrance exam for aspiring doctors was cancelled in early May following a paper leak. They say the minister must take moral responsibility and quit.

Pradhan has dismissed CJP and its supporters as "the B-team of disruptive elements". And the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not engaged with the protesters yet.

But there have been growing pressure from the opposition and civil society leaders for the government to do so.

On Thursday, former Delhi chief minister and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Arvind Kejriwal visited Wangchuk.

In a video shared by CJP, Kejriwal is seen greeting the activist with folded hands before shaking his hand. He appealed to the government to engage with the protesters.

"Every year, exam papers get leaked and youth pay the price," he said. "I appeal to the government to listen to students and Wangchuk."

He added that "Pradhan should be removed from his post and replaced by Wangchuk".

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and leader of the National Conference party Omar Abdullah said that "politics has its place, but there must also be a room for humanity and compassion".

He recalled the time when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government sent ministers to engage with Anna Hazare, an anti-corruption campaigner, who went on a hunger strike in Delhi in 2011.

"But no attempt has been made so far to initiate a dialogue with Mr Wangchuk," Abdullah said, adding that the activist's demands were "legitimate".

The Delhi High Court, hearing a petition on Thursday, asked the government to urgently intervene and ordered it to monitor Wangchuck's health regularly and provide necessary treatment if needed.

The Times of India newspaper reported that the federal health ministry has directed three government hospitals to examine the activist twice each day.