Climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk has urged people to stop searching for "heroes" and instead take responsibility as active citizens, saying he is "just an ordinary citizen" and not a "modern Gandhi". His appeal came as the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest over alleged examination irregularities entered its 22nd day at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Saturday.
Wangchuk, who joined the agitation on June 28, entered the 14th day of his indefinite hunger strike. According to a health update shared by the CJP, he has lost around 7.5 kg since beginning the fast, while his blood pressure was recorded at 106/74 mm Hg.
In a video message posted on X on Friday night, Wangchuk acknowledged feeling physically weaker but reaffirmed his commitment to the protest.
"Today, on the 13th day of my fast, I am not feeling as energetic as I was yesterday. I am feeling a little tired. It happens—some days are better and some are not," he said.
Thanking supporters for standing with the movement on social media, Wangchuk said he was uncomfortable with people describing him as a "21st-century Gandhi" or a hero.
"I am neither Gandhi nor a hero. I am just an ordinary citizen who has tried to fulfil his responsibilities. Please don't look for a hero in someone else. Be the hero of your own life. Fulfil your responsibilities as a citizen," he said.
Appealing for greater public participation, Wangchuk urged people not to wait until they are personally affected by the issues being raised by the protesters. Referring to student suicides that the CJP has linked to alleged examination irregularities, he said citizens should act before tragedy reaches their own families.
"If one of those students had been your sister or daughter, you would have joined us. But don't wait for that. If you can't come here every day, join us at least for one day at Jantar Mantar. If you can't come to Delhi, observe a fast wherever you are and share your message," he said.
Wangchuk also renewed his appeal for citizens to participate in the proposed march to Parliament on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session.
"Like us, you don't have to remain hungry for 24 days. Come after having your meal. But take responsibility as citizens and join us on July 20," he said.
A day earlier, Wangchuk had said his hunger had "stabilised" after the initial phase of the fast and asserted that any attempt to remove him from the protest site would amount to a violation of his constitutional right to peaceful protest.
"I am here willingly and there is no threat to my life. If they remove me, it will be a violation of our rights," he said.
The CJP has been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging irregularities in examinations, and has sought compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide in connection with the issue. The organisation has also called for a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20 to press lawmakers to take up the protesters' demands.
The protest began on June 20, while Wangchuk joined the demonstration on June 28 and has remained on an indefinite hunger strike since then.
