New Delhi: Sonam Wangchuk, an educationist and climate activist renowned globally for his achievements, has been on a hunger strike for 20 days. Surviving solely on salt and water during this period, he has lost over 9 kilograms of weight. He continues to subsist only on salt and water.
The condition of Sonam Wangchuk, who is fasting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to demand the resignation of the Union Education Minister, has now become critical. His vital organs may soon begin to suffer the consequences. There is growing concern regarding his rapidly deteriorating health.
According to reports, he has received full support from over 1,800 prominent figures across the country for this protest. Film stars and political heavyweights are visiting Jantar Mantar to boost his morale. Here, we explain why Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for the past 20 days.
Why is educationist Sonam Wangchuk on a hunger strike?
The 59-year-old Sonam Wangchuk is fasting to demand reforms in the education system. The protest stems from allegations of irregularities in the NEET 2026 examination earlier this year, which led to the exam’s cancellation and sparked nationwide outrage among students. Subsequently, the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP) announced a protest at Jantar Mantar.
Led by CJP founder Abhijit Deep, the group held its first demonstration in the national capital on June 6. This evolved into an indefinite sit-in protest on June 20, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Sonam Wangchuk joined this protest on June 28 and has been on an indefinite hunger strike ever since.
Wangchuk surviving on salt and water.
Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar for the last 20 days. He rejected appeals from political party leaders and supporters to end his indefinite hunger strike. He stated that calling off the strike without any response from the government would send the wrong message. He asked what message would be conveyed if he were to eat; the government would simply conclude that accountability is unnecessary—that protesters come and go. He further questioned what would actually change if he were to end the hunger strike.
Sonam Wangchuk’s Appeal
Sonam Wangchuk, currently on an indefinite hunger strike, has appealed to the public to strengthen the proposed ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ march to Parliament on July 20. He emphasised that students from schools and colleges need to participate in this event to learn real-world lessons about politics and democracy.
Throughout his hunger strike, he has been consistently releasing video messages. He mentioned receiving thousands of messages urging him to end the fast. He added that several senior leaders had visited him to express their concern with great affection, while some individuals even approached the court, requesting a directive to have him fed.
