An Indian diaspora group in the US has expressed concerns over the health of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk as he continues his indefinite hunger strike during the ‘Cockroach Janta Party’ protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to meet the demonstrators Wangchuk.
In an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the US-based group Hindus for Human Rights said protesters raised serious concerns about examination irregularities, educational governance, institutional accountability, and the consequences students suffer when public systems fail.
“The government must meet with the protesters, provide an objective response to the vetting and governance failures they have identified, and establish a credible, time-bound process of accountability,” the group said in the message posted on its Facebook account. Follow live updates on Sonam Wangchuk’s protest here
Read also: How the Modi government’s equation with Sonam Wangchuk collapsed: from ‘brilliant conversation’ to Jantar Mantar
The group added that while the government may reject Pradhan’s resignation request, it cannot use this dispute to justify “institutional silence.” She said the protest is part of a broader pattern in which students, job aspirants and other young people seek to hold the government accountable.
“The government may reject the education minister’s resignation demand, but it cannot use this row to justify institutional silence. This protest is part of a broader pattern where students, job aspirants, and other young people seeking accountability for failure in exams and employment, are putting their bodies on the line, facing lathi charges and detention at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, water cannons in Jaipur, and baton charges and arrests during NEET protests in “Kurukshetra”.
“The government must meet the protesters now, respond to the failures that brought them here, and act before indifference takes their lives,” Sunita Viswanath, executive director of Hindus for Human Rights, said in a statement.
“Put your health first,” the group says.
The group also urged Wangchuk and his fellow protesters to prioritize their health and lives, saying they should not be asked to sacrifice their health to prove the seriousness of their demands.
It also urged the government, the Ministry of Education and the responsible authorities in New Delhi to provide an accredited representative to meet the fasting demonstrators; ensuring unrestricted access to appropriate medical care; Provide a transparent public response to the allegations raised by students; Establish a clear process for addressing screening and hiring violations; And protecting the right to peaceful protest without harassment or obstruction.
“People across India and around the world have heard their concerns. They should not be asked to sacrifice their health to prove the seriousness of their demands,” the group said.
“We urge the Government of India to honor the best of that history: to listen before more harm is done, to begin dialogue immediately, and to ensure that every participant can end this fast in safety and dignity. Dialogue must begin before irreparable harm is done.”
A group to rally in solidarity with Wangchuk
Hindus for Human Rights and the Azadi Project will gather in Washington, D.C., on Friday, in solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk, as he continues his hunger strike to demand the resignation of India’s education minister.
“The Wangchuk Fast is a serious moral call for accountability and a meaningful response to the exam and governance failures affecting students across India. No one should risk their health or life just to be heard,” the group said in a Facebook post.
She called on people to join the movement demanding justice, dignity and responsible leadership.
The Wangchuk fast enters its nineteenth day
The Wangchuk hunger strike entered its 19th day on Thursday. The Delhi High Court is set to hear a public interest litigation, raising concerns about the health of the activists. A petition was filed before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, requesting urgent medical intervention, including admitting him to the hospital, ensuring that he receives the required medical treatment and force-feeding him.
In the latest update on his health condition, doctors said on Wednesday that he remains “very weak” and is under round-the-clock medical supervision. His weight has decreased to 57.15 kg, which is 400 grams in the past 24 hours and 8.9 kg since he began his indefinite hunger strike.
His blood pressure was recorded at 105/76 mmHg, blood sugar 80 mg/dL, and oxygen saturation at 97 percent. The doctors added that his hydration levels were fair.
Also read: What is Rahul Gandhi up to amid uproar over absence from CJP-Wangchuk protest: ‘Are you upset, Modi ji?’
Leaders meet Wangchuk
The protest was supported by many political leaders and actors across the country. Many urged him to end his fast And give priority to his health.
Wangchuk said he would not end his fast and urged protesters to question the government about why it was not engaging in dialogue. In a video message on Wednesday, Wangchuk said: “I’m not feeling well but not too bad either… Instead of asking me to breakfast, please join me on July 20… peacefully march to Parliament.”
One-day mass hunger strike
Sarsour Janta Party, which is leading the protests He called for a one-day mass hunger strike Thursday. Its founder, Abhijit Debaki, urged his supporters to post a photo of the empty board.
The party’s agitation began on June 20, while Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and has been on an indefinite hunger strike since then.
The group demanded the resignation of Pradhan W $1 crore compensation to the families of students who allegedly died by suicide due to alleged examination irregularities. She also announced a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20, the first day of the monsoon.
