As the Cockroach Janta Party’s protest reached its 19th day and Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike completed 11 days, the activist announced a peaceful protest march for July 20, coinciding with the start of the Parliament’s Monsoon Session. In a new appeal, Wangchuk urged people to “do a little more” to support the movement.
The CJP is staging a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and demanding accountability for the NEET-UG paper leak scandal and the related student suicides.
“I appreciate all your messages urging me to end my hunger strike, but doing so would neither help the 20 students who took their own lives nor safeguard the mountains of Ladakh or the rivers of India,” Wangchuk said in a video message posted on X. He then urged people to join the march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament on July 20.
“To do this, you will need to come to Delhi and join me in this peaceful march. Please let me know if you are willing to take part,” he said. Wangchuk began his hunger strike 11 days ago, and doctors say he has already lost more than seven kilograms, according to the PTI news agency.
Breaking strike ‘easy’, but won't stop suicides: Wangchuk
In the video, Wangchuk stated that "hundreds" of people from all over the country had urged him to call off the hunger strike, noting that it would be an "easy" decision for him. However, he asked whether this would actually put an end to student suicides, and whether, in the coming years, 40 children, then 80 children, would continue to die by suicide.
The activist assured the public that he is determined to continue for at least the next 10 days. "For now, I can say that over the next 10 to 12 days, my health will not be affected at all and I can stay strong. After that, my health may begin to deteriorate," he added.
Wangchuk then urged people to step up their involvement in the movement. "If you truly want me to stay alive, then rather than just sending me messages from your sofas at home, you can do a bit more. Each of us can take action together to ensure this does not happen," he said.
He added that the most suitable venue for this would be Parliament, since it is the place where decisions are made, debates take place, and policies are formulated. He said this would lead to significant changes. "Only then will I believe that our country will be saved, and my life as well," Wangchuk said.
According to a health bulletin shared on Wednesday, Wangchuk's weight was recorded at 59.40 kg, with his blood pressure at 103/68 mm Hg in the sitting position and 111/73 mm Hg while lying down. His heart rate was 74 beats per minute, blood glucose level 75 mg/dL and oxygen saturation was 98 per cent.
