Teacher and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike entered its 20th day on Friday. He had joined the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on June 28, and has been fasting ever since, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities.
Meanwhile, Wangchuk, also an education reformer, was determined to continue his strike and asserted that he would “survive until July 20 at any cost.” The statement comes as the CJP called for a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20, coinciding with the opening day of the monsoon session. Follow live updates on Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike here.
Sonam Wangchuk’s health status update
According to the health bulletin issued by the medical team, dated July 17, Wangchuk’s weight now stands at 56.55 kilograms. Doctors treating him said he had lost another 350 grams in the past 24 hours, bringing his cumulative weight to about 9.5 kg.
His blood pressure was recorded at 108/68 mm Hg, blood sugar at 80 mg/dL, pulse rate at 72 beats per minute, and oxygen saturation at 96 percent.
Meanwhile, doctors noted that Wangchuk showed signs of mild dehydration but remained mentally alert.
“Today is the 20th day of the hunger strike. I am providing the health bulletin as of 9:30 am on July 17, 2026. As usual, here are the key health parameters… His weight is 56.55 kg, which indicates a loss of 350 grams in the last 24 hours,” Dr Satish Lamba said.
“Blood pressure 108/68. Blood sugar 80 mg/dL. Pulse rate 72 beats per minute. Hydration moderate… There are signs of mild dehydration today. He is mentally alert. SpO2 (oxygen saturation) is 96 percent,” he added.
Doctors reportedly warned on Thursday that Wangchuk’s condition had entered a critical stage due to the long fast and that the next stage could be worrying.
Read also | “I will survive and come back like a ghost if…”: Sonam Wangchuk urges support for Parliament march on July 20
“I will survive until July 20 at any cost…”: Wangchuk
Addressing his supporters at the protest site, Sonam Wangchuk said he was weak on the outside but remained strong on the inside.
“I am weak on the outside but I am very strong on the inside. I am sure you are all strong on the inside, and on the outside as well. We need this energy on July 20, when we will march peacefully to Parliament. We will go together and make our appeal in the temple of democracy,” he said.
“I will survive until July 20 at any cost. If you don’t come and July 20 doesn’t work, I will return as a ghost,” he added.
Read also | The Delhi High Court has ordered daily medical check-up of Sonam Wangchuk amid the ongoing hunger strike
Political leaders in Jantar Mantar
The protest also received support from former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, TMC MPs Mahua Moitra and Sagarika Ghose, Communist Party of India MP Amra Ram, veteran Communist Party leader Subhashini Ali, and many others.
Meanwhile, earlier, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal met Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar and expressed solidarity with his protest.
What is the reason for the Justice and Development Party’s protest?
The CJP is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities.
Moreover, she also requested compensation $1 crore to the families of students who allegedly died by suicide due to alleged examination irregularities.
