NEW DELHI: Climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk said on Friday that his hunger had “stabilised” after 13 days of fasting and that he remained energetic despite losing around 7.5 kg.
Wangchuk is on an indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar in support of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest, which is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities. The protest entered its 21st day on Friday.
Day 13 of @Wangchuk66’s hunger-strike:
“Any attempt by the authorities to remove me from Jantar Mantar would amount to a violation of my rights.” – Sonam sir pic.twitter.com/GvVGfDBwDX
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) July 10, 2026
Speaking to reporters, Wangchuk said the first few days of fasting were the hardest as the body adjusted.
“Today is the 13th day of the fast. I am feeling okay. My hunger has stabilised. There is some tiredness, but otherwise I am fine,” he said.
He added that he had lost both fat and muscle but still felt energetic.
“My bones are beginning to show, but I still feel energetic,” Wangchuk said.
Responding to questions about whether authorities might intervene if his health worsened, Wangchuk said he was taking part in the protest voluntarily and believed removing him would violate his constitutional rights.
“We are holding a peaceful protest. We have the right to peaceful protest under Article 19, and I hope that right continues to be respected,” he said.
Wangchuk said he was fasting in support of students seeking accountability over alleged examination irregularities. He also urged the Centre to resolve pending issues related to Ladakh during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.
न्याय मिलने तक यही बैठे रहेंगे,
भूख हड़ताल जारी रहेगा,
जब तक सरकार में सोए हुए लोग जाग नहीं जाते तब तक रुकने वाले नहीं,
छात्रों के भविष्य को संवारना होगा,आप सभी अपना समर्थन व राय कमेंट के माध्यम से ज़रूर बताएं। pic.twitter.com/agwNm06Qj4
— Cockroach Janta Party (@CJP_for_India) July 10, 2026
Referring to reports of student suicides linked to the examination controversy, Wangchuk said the protest aimed to prevent similar incidents in the future. He also claimed that accepting the education minister’s resignation before Parliament meets would help rebuild the confidence of young people.
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said Wangchuk had lost around 7.5 kg since the fast began and that his blood sugar levels remained consistently low. He said doctors were closely monitoring Wangchuk’s condition, adding that he was becoming weaker and found it difficult to walk and speak for long periods.
Ranka repeated the group’s demands, including the resignation of the education minister and Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide. He said the organisation would hold a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session, if the government did not respond.
The protest began on June 20 over alleged examination irregularities. Wangchuk joined the protest on June 28 and has remained on an indefinite fast since then.
