Activist Sonam Wangchuk lost 350 grams in weight and was experiencing mild dehydration on Friday (July 26, 2026), his physician Satish Lamba said, according to a statement issued by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Mr. Wangchuk has entered the 20th day of his indefinite hunger strike demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Mr. Wangchuk’s blood pressure was 108/68mmHg, blood sugar at 80mg/dL and pulse rate 72bpm. He remained “mentally alert,” Dr. Lamba said. “The medical team stated that Sonam Wangchuk continues to be under 24-hour medical vigilance, with his health being monitored closely,” the CJP said.
The activist is also under close watch by government-appointed doctors following a Delhi High Court order that compelled the Ministry of Health to ensure timely medical intervention if his condition deteriorates. CJP activists in Mr. Wangchuk’s entourage have started wearing face masks when interacting with him, concerned that he may catch an infection in the crowded protest area.
Three students from the CPI(ML) Liberation’s All India Students’ Association (AISA), who are on a parallel hunger strike, have been advised against walking and will use wheelchairs for the rest of their fast, former AISA president N. Sai Balaji said.
“Neha’s blood sugar level has been severely low, and doctors have suggested that she break the fast and be hospitalised before the hypoglycemia worsens,” Mr. Balaji said in a statement. “Aameen has incredibly high uric acid buildup in his body and has also lost almost 14% of his body weight. Manish has lost more than 10kg of weight and has been on the brink of losing consciousness, needing constant support for basic life activities.” Three other students who had started the hunger strike ended it after their condition worsened.
Congress MP Pawan Khera and former Delhi Minister Rajendra Pal visited Mr. Wangchuk. They enquired about his health and expressed solidarity with the striking AISA students. “A very insensitive government is sitting at the top that does not understand the language of democratic opposition,” Mr. Khera told reporters after urging Mr. Wangchuk to end his fast.
Congress leaders have increasingly started visiting Mr. Wangchuk, even as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, addressed a programme in Dehradun on issues similar to those being raised by the CJP and the Ladakhi activist.
Crowds at the Jantar Mantar protest site grew on Friday (July 17, 2026) afternoon as concerns over Mr. Wangchuk’s health mounted. Several high-profile visitors have also urged their own supporters to fill up the protest site and push the attendance beyond the levels witnessed during the inaugural demonstration following CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke’s arrival in India.
“The party once again urges the Government of India to immediately engage with the protesters, address the demands for examination reforms and respond to the growing concerns of students across the country,” the CJP said in a statement.
Former Union Minister of Law and Justice Ashwani Kumar also visited Mr. Wangchuk. “In any responsive and dignitarian democracy, the lives of conscientious dissenters should be prized and not compromised for any reason,” Mr. Kumar said in a statement, urging Mr. Wangchuk to end his fast. “The nation prays for his good health and long life in the service of these causes.”
Nationalist Congress Party–Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SCP) MP Supriya Sule also met Mr. Wangchuk and urged him to end his fast. “I commit to you that all eight NCP-SCP MPs will join you on the march to Parliament on July 20,” Ms. Sule said addressing the gathering. “This is not a fight for our children, but for everyone’s children.”
Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker expressed solidarity with students affected by the NEET re-exam and alleged irregularities in the CBSE paper evaluation this year. ”This is not about promoting or opposing any political party. It is about speaking up for what truly matters—education, the environment, safety, and accountability,” Ms. Bhaker wrote on Instagram. “We owe every child a future where they can learn, grow, and dream without fear.”
Two notable incidents
Mr. Dipke clashed with a national TV channel reporter over his line of questioning. The CJP founder later said, “The media that ignored the Jantar Mantar protest all this time has finally arrived.” He accused the channel of spreading “baseless propaganda”.
The other took place in London, where a journalist asked actor Aamir Khan—who played Phunsukh Wangdu in the 2009 film “3 Idiots”, a character long understood to have been inspired by Mr. Wangchuk—about the hunger strike. It was a “misconception” that Mr. Wangchuk had inspired that character, Mr. Khan said. He also acknowledged a video released by actor Omi Vaidya, who also acted in the movie, supporting the activist.
“I didn’t know Mr. Sonam at that time,” Mr. Khan said. On the ongoing fast, he added: “I think all of us are very concerned for his health and his life, and we hope that he ends his fast and looks after his health.”
Published – July 17, 2026 11:06 pm IST
