Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike Day 20: Doctors warn of organ failure as climate activist refuses to call off strike
The 59-year-old is demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak. appealing people to join the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) march to Parliament on July 20, the first day of the Monsoon Session.
PTC News Desk: Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite hunger strike in Delhi, has said he will "stay alive till July 20 at any cost", as his fast entered its 20th day. Doctors have warned that his condition has become critical due to the prolonged fast.
The 59-year-old is demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak. He has also appealed to people to join the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) march to Parliament on July 20, the first day of the Monsoon Session.
Doctors said Wangchuk has survived only on water for the past 20 days, which could be life-threatening. They warned that his body has likely started breaking down muscles for energy and that his organs could be affected next.
"I am weak from the outside but very strong inside. I am sure all of you are strong from the inside, and outside too. We need this energy for July 20, when we will take out a peaceful march to Parliament. We will go together and present our plea in the temple of democracy," he said, addressing supporters.
"I will stay alive till July 20 at any cost. If you don't come and July 20 is not successful, I will come back as a ghost," he said in a lighter vein, drawing cheers from the gathering.
Satish Lamba, a doctor who has been examining Wangchuk regularly, said the activist has been losing muscles and fat which is triggering weight loss. He has lost 9 kg, he said.
Despite the health risks, Wangchuk has refused to end his hunger strike, saying doing so without any response from the government would send the wrong message. He said his priority is to make the July 20 Parliament march a success.
The matter has also reached the Delhi High Court, which has directed authorities to monitor his health every day and provide medical help if his condition worsens.
The CJP protest began on June 20, while Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and has been on an indefinite hunger strike since then.