Three student activists associated with the All India Students' Association (AISA) have completed 20 days of an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, with doctors warning that their health has deteriorated significantly as they continue protesting alongside education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk over alleged examination paper leaks and irregularities.
The protesters, AISA national president Neha Bora, along with student activists Manish and Aameen, are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing the government of failing to address repeated lapses in the country's examination system. Despite worsening health, the three have vowed to continue their fast in solidarity with Wangchuk, whose own indefinite hunger strike entered its 20th day on Friday under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
Drawing a contrast between physical hardship and political ambition, Neha Bora said the protest was about exposing what she described as the government's misplaced priorities. "There's the hunger that gnaws at the stomach, and then the hunger for power that people in government have," she said.
Doctors attending to the protesters have expressed serious concern over their condition, warning that prolonged fasting is now posing severe health risks. Dr Tilopa, who examined the activists on Thursday, described all three as being in a high-risk medical condition. "These three activists are in high-risk condition," she said, cautioning that their health could deteriorate rapidly. Highlighting Neha Bora's condition in particular, the doctor warned of potentially life-threatening complications. "Neha's condition is particularly bad because her blood sugar is decreasing day by day. We can see muscle wasting in these people. There can be multiple organ failure if the strike is prolonged," she said.
According to AISA, Neha Bora's blood sugar level has dropped to 49 mg/dL, Manish has lost more than 10 per cent of his body weight, while Aameen faces the risk of hypovolaemic shock due to dehydration. The organisation also said that three other student activists who had earlier joined the fast have already been hospitalised after their health deteriorated.
Among them was 21-year-old Delhi University student Deepak, who was admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital after suffering hypovolaemic shock. He was discharged the following day after doctors confirmed that his ECG and pulse rate had stabilised. In a video message released from the protest site, Neha Bora referred to Deepak's hospitalisation and also described witnessing Wangchuk struggling physically during his fast. "This is the truth of this protest," she said.
Targeting the Union government, Neha Bora accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing to respond to the protesters' demands and urged supporters to participate in the planned Parliament March on 20 July, coinciding with the opening of the Monsoon Session. "For every one of ours you send to the hospital, our resolve to see Dharmendra Pradhan fall becomes stronger," she said.
Aameen argued that the ongoing agitation had succeeded in drawing public attention to what he described as the government's indifference. "If the public emotion that is going out is that the government is heartless, then we have succeeded in exposing the government," he said. He added that such indifference had previously affected only marginalised communities but was now being experienced more widely. "This heartlessness was previously reserved for the working class, the poor folk, Dalits; it was reserved for our minorities. I think people have realised that everybody's turn will come," he said.
Meanwhile, Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike also entered its 20th day, with doctors reporting that he had lost another 350 grams over the previous 24 hours, taking his total weight loss since the beginning of the fast to around 9.5 kg. Medical records released on Friday showed his weight at 56.55 kg, blood pressure at 108/68 mmHg, blood sugar at 80 mg/dL, pulse rate at 72 beats per minute, and oxygen saturation at 96 per cent. Doctors said he remained mentally alert despite mild dehydration.
Addressing supporters, Sonam Wangchuk reaffirmed that he would continue his fast until the government engaged with the protesters. "I am weak from the outside but very strong inside," he said. Referring to the proposed Parliament march, he added, "If the planned Parliament march on July 20 does not succeed, I will come back as a ghost!"
A day earlier, doctors had warned that Wangchuk's condition had entered a critical stage and cautioned that prolonged fasting could result in organ damage. The Delhi High Court has since directed the authorities to conduct daily medical examinations and ensure timely intervention if his health worsens.
The Cockroach Janta Party, founded by Abhijeet Dipke, has been staging its protest at Jantar Mantar since 20 June, with Wangchuk joining the agitation on 28 June. The movement is demanding action over repeated alleged examination paper leaks and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
