Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk entered the 20th day of his indefinite hunger strike on Friday, with doctors cautioning that his prolonged fast has reached a dangerous stage where vital organs could soon be affected. Even as concerns over his health mount, Wangchuk has made it clear that he will continue the protest until the Centre responds to his demands.
The warning comes after doctors monitoring his condition said his body has entered an advanced phase of starvation. According to the latest medical assessment, Wangchuk has lost over nine kilograms since beginning his fast on June 28 and now weighs 56.9 kg. Physicians said the body's glucose reserves have long been exhausted, forcing it to burn fat and muscle for energy. They warned that continued fasting could eventually damage essential organs.
The activist's deteriorating condition was evident on Thursday when videos showed him struggling to walk without assistance. Supported by aides and medical personnel, Wangchuk slowly stepped down from the stage at Delhi's Jantar Mantar before making his way to the washroom. Despite appearing visibly weak, he acknowledged supporters gathered at the protest site with a smile and a wave.
Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, who has remained alongside Wangchuk throughout the agitation, described the activist's condition as deeply worrying.
"I don't want to say this, but Sonam Wangchuk is on his deathbed," Dipke said, adding that the activist had become so frail that "his bones are visible."
Dipke also revealed that he urged Wangchuk to call off the hunger strike for the sake of his health. However, the activist refused.
"Don't ask me to stop my hunger strike. Ask why the government is not listening to us," Wangchuk reportedly told him.
Despite medical warnings, Wangchuk has reiterated that he intends to remain on fast until the planned Parliament march on July 20.
"I will stay alive no matter what until July 20 so that I can march to Parliament with all of you. If our march isn't successful by July 20, I'll come back as a ghost," he said while addressing supporters.
Delhi High Court Directs Daily Medical Monitoring
The issue has also reached the Delhi High Court, which, while hearing a public interest petition, directed authorities to keep a close watch on Wangchuk's health. The court instructed officials to ensure daily medical examinations and provide treatment whenever necessary.
Observing that every citizen's life is valuable, the bench stressed that all possible medical assistance should be extended to safeguard Wangchuk's health. Appearing for the Centre and the Delhi government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court there was no objection to regular medical check-ups.
Medical Team Raises Fresh Alarm
Doctors supervising Wangchuk's health said laboratory findings indicate that his body is now breaking down muscle tissue for energy. Elevated ketone and uric acid levels, they explained, are signs that prolonged fasting is taking a severe physiological toll. While he remains under constant observation, medical experts warned that continued deterioration could eventually affect major organs if the fast is not ended.
Support for Protest Continues to Grow
Wangchuk's hunger strike is part of a campaign demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in national entrance examinations, including NEET.
The protest has drawn support from political leaders, legal bodies, economists and members of the entertainment industry. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Congress leader Pawan Khera and several other public figures have urged the government to engage with Wangchuk and address the concerns raised by students.
The Supreme Court Bar Association also appealed to the activist to end his fast, saying the country needs his voice and leadership more than it needs another martyr.
According to the CJP, around 1.5 lakh people have already registered or confirmed participation in the proposed July 20 Parliament march, even as Wangchuk remains firm that he will continue his fast until the government responds to his demands.
