Wangchuk’s health worsens as CJP protest enters 15th day

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health deteriorates during his seventh day of fasting as CJP presses for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, with growing political backing and renewed calls for education accountability.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health has deteriorated after seven days of an indefinite hunger strike in support of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest over alleged examination irregularities, with the party claiming he has lost five kilograms as demonstrations entered their 15th day on Saturday.

The CJP has continued to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in several examinations.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said on X that Wangchuk’s condition was worsening with each passing day and questioned why Pradhan had not yet been removed from office.

“Sonam Sir has lost 5 kg, and his health is deteriorating with each passing day. How much longer will the Prime Minister wait before sacking Dharmendra Pradhan?” Dipke wrote.

He also questioned the government’s decision to retain the education minister, saying, “Why is Dharmendra Pradhan so important to PM Modi that, despite the deaths of 20 students, he still refuses to remove him?”

In another post on X, Dipke said the government would be responsible if anything happened to the activist because of his declining health.

“If the government doesn’t act fast and take action against Pradhan, it will be responsible if anything happens to Sonam Sir. Despite his rapidly deteriorating health, he has made it clear that he will not end his hunger strike until action is taken,” he said.

Dipke also shared a satirical cartoon showing a man attempting to eat papers labelled “Exam Paper” while being restrained by two cockroaches. The cartoon carried the caption, “Go back Dharmendra Pradhan.”

Late on Friday night, July 3, Wangchuk welcomed progress in talks between the Centre and representatives from Ladakh over the region’s long-standing demands. He also urged the government to focus on accountability in the education sector.

“Thank you government for steps taken today to resolve the Ladakh issue, now please pay attention to accountability in education,” Wangchuk said in a post on X.

His remarks came after representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) announced they had resolved differences with the Ministry of Home Affairs over the minutes of an earlier meeting. The breakthrough cleared the way for the next phase of formal negotiations on Ladakh’s proposed governance framework.

Leaders of both organisations also credited Wangchuk’s hunger strike with helping break the stalemate between the Centre and Ladakh representatives.

Meanwhile, six students associated with the All India Students’ Association (AISA) continued a separate hunger strike at another stage at Jantar Mantar.

The protest began on June 20 over alleged irregularities in several examinations including NEET, India’s premier medical entrance examination. It entered its 15th day on Saturday and has drawn support from a range of political leaders and civil society members.

Those expressing support include CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, CPI general secretary D Raja, CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, social activist Yogendra Yadav, Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan, CPI leader Annie Raja, transparency activist Anjali Bhardwaj, RTI activist Nikhil Dey and TMC MPs Sagarika Ghose and Mahua Moitra.

This report is republished from The Hindu.