Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday launched an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, joining the ongoing protest led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and demanding accountability from the Centre.
The fast, which began after Wangchuk and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, drew hundreds of students, youth activists and several farmer leaders to the protest site. The gathering observed a two-minute silence before the hunger strike commenced.
The CJP has been staging a sit-in at Jantar Mantar since June 20, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in examinations, including the NEET medical entrance test.
"Fight for accountability"
Explaining his decision to begin the fast, Wangchuk had earlier said he would resort to an indefinite hunger strike if the government failed to act on at least one of two demands—ensuring accountability in the education system or addressing long-pending demands for greater autonomy and environmental safeguards for Ladakh.
He had stated that the fast would be withdrawn if meaningful action was taken on either issue. With no response forthcoming, Wangchuk proceeded with the indefinite protest on Sunday.
CJP alleges police cut water and sanitation
Soon after the hunger strike began, the Cockroach Janata Party alleged that Delhi Police had withdrawn essential facilities at the protest venue, including water and sanitation services.
In a post on X, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke claimed that repeated appeals to the authorities had gone unanswered.
"Delhi Police has cut off sanitation facility at Jantar Mantar after Sonam Wangchuk announced his hunger strike. No water connection and hygiene measures," Dipke alleged.
Expressing concern over Wangchuk's health, Dipke further claimed that police had ignored requests to maintain basic amenities at the protest site.
"Despite repeated pleas and telling them about Wangchuk ji's age and health concerns, the police is not cooperating and we suspect that other such basic facilities too will be cut off. What is the police up to?" he wrote.
Delhi Police had not immediately responded publicly to the allegations.
Farmers, students join protest
The protest witnessed participation from students, civil society groups and farmer leaders from several states. Dipke also alleged that farmer leaders from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab had been placed under house arrest to prevent them from reaching Jantar Mantar, a claim that could not be independently verified.
The CJP maintains that the agitation extends beyond concerns over a single examination and reflects broader questions about transparency, fairness and public trust in India's examination system.
"This is not just about one examination. It is about restoring accountability and trust in the education system," Dipke has said during the course of the protest.
With Wangchuk's indefinite fast lending fresh momentum to the agitation, the protest is likely to intensify pressure on the government as demonstrators continue to demand action over alleged examination irregularities and systemic reforms.
