Hunger strike enters day 19: Sonam Wangchuk rules out ending fast as doctors flag 'alarming risk'
PTC News Desk: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk refused to end his indefinite hunger strike despite repeated efforts to persuade him, asserting doing so without any response from the government would send the wrong message.
"If I eat, what message will go? The message to the government will be that there is no need for accountability. Protesters sit and leave," Wangchuk said, questioning what would change if he ended his fast.
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I’m Not in good shape but not so bad either...
Rather than asking me to break my fast please join me on 20th July... Peaceful March to the Parliament.#cockroachjanataparty #jantarmantar #cjpprotest #chalosansad pic.twitter.com/QZ6VyxVMAR — Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) July 15, 2026
"I have received thousands of messages asking me to break my fast. Many senior politicians have come to me and spoken to me with love and concern," he said, adding that some people had even approached the court seeking directions to make him eat.
Addressing concerns about his health, Wangchuk said medical examinations had not indicated any immediate danger.
"My condition is not such that I will die in two-four days. Many medical tests have been conducted and the results are quite normal for an 18-day fast. An ECG was also done and it is not bad. I can continue for many more days," he said. "Yes, there is weakness and my muscles are getting weak, but my heart and core are still fine," he added.
He also urged people to register for the march through the campaign's website or by giving a missed call.
"Join us in large numbers on July 20. Together, we will take this issue to Parliament. Only then will I believe it has reached the right platform," Wangchuk said.
Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janta Party has been holding protests at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
The party has also announced a "Chalo Sansad" march on July 20, the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, to press its demands.
- With inputs from agencies
