Wangchuk's Health Deteriorates as Strike Extends

Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar has entered its 12th day, with his health continuing to decline. According to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the organisation behind the protest, Wangchuk has lost more than 7 kg since beginning his fast, and doctors monitoring him have raised concerns over his condition.

Wangchuk has previously said he is prepared to continue his fast for up to six weeks, or indefinitely, unless the central government acts on the protesters' demands. The broader CJP protest at Jantar Mantar has now completed 20 days, making it one of the longest sustained demonstrations in the capital in recent years.

Core Demands: Education Accountability and Ladakh

The protest centres on two main issues. The first is accountability over alleged irregularities in India's public examination system, including leaked papers, with CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and student groups demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The organisation has linked the issue to a number of student suicides, which it says reflect deeper systemic failures in the examination process.

The second demand concerns Ladakh, where Wangchuk has long campaigned for constitutional safeguards, statehood, and stronger environmental protections for the region's fragile ecology, alongside groups such as the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance.

Students Also Facing Health Crisis

Wangchuk is not the only one on hunger strike. Several members of the All India Students' Association (AISA) have also been fasting in solidarity at a separate stage at Jantar Mantar. At least one AISA activist has been hospitalised after her blood sugar level dropped sharply during the fast, according to the organisation.

Why Parliament's Monsoon Session Matters

Wangchuk has repeatedly said he hopes the government will take up examination reforms and Ladakh's demands during Parliament's upcoming Monsoon Session, which is scheduled to run from July 20 to August 13, as announced by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. "If that happens, I won't have to stake my life," Wangchuk has said, according to earlier interviews.

The protest has already drawn support from opposition figures, including AAP MP Sanjay Singh and CPI(M) MP John Brittas, as well as the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which sent a delegation to Jantar Mantar in solidarity. Opposition parties have said they intend to raise the CJP's concerns inside Parliament once the session begins.

Unverified Claims: Proceed With Caution

Some reports and social media posts have suggested that protesters may attempt a march toward Parliament to coincide with the start of the Monsoon Session on July 20, and that opposition parties plan to raise alleged financial irregularities linked to the Ram Mandir during the session. These specific claims could not be independently verified through official statements or established news agencies at the time of publishing, and readers should treat them as unconfirmed pending further reporting.

What Happens Next

With the Monsoon Session just under two weeks away, pressure is mounting on the government to respond to the CJP's demands before the situation escalates further. Wangchuk's continued fast, combined with deteriorating health among fasting students, has kept the protest in the national spotlight, with the government yet to formally respond to CJP's demand for Minister Pradhan's resignation.