Sonam Wangchuk’s health deteriorates as CJP’s protest enters 15th day

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk during a hunger strike by the Cockroach Janta Party demanding action over alleged exam irregularities and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 12, 2026. | Photo credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health deteriorated further on Sunday (July 12, 2026) as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 15th day, with doctors reporting a further drop in his blood pressure and a total weight loss of 7.8kg since the fast began.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over alleged examination irregularities entered its 23rd day on Sunday (July 12, 2026).

According to a health update shared by the organization, Mr. Wangchuk’s blood pressure dropped to 104/66 mm Hg, while his total weight loss since the beginning of the hunger strike reached 7.8 kg.

Besides, the CJP said several political leaders and public intellectuals were to visit the protest site during the day to express solidarity with the agitation.

According to the outfit, former Kerala ministers KK Shylaja, KN Balagopal and P. Rajeev are scheduled to interact with the protesters, while Samajwadi Party MP Pushpendra Saroj is expected to address the rally on Sunday (July 12, 2026).

The day’s program will conclude with a public lecture by economist Jayati Ghosh on ‘Economics of Unemployment’, which will focus on the employment crisis and its impact on the youth, the CJP said.

Members of the CPI(ML)-affiliated All India Students Association (AISA) — Neha, Manish, Deepak Kumar Verma and Aameen — continued their indefinite hunger strike on a separate stage at the protest site.

On Saturday (July 11, 2026), Mr Wangchuk urged people not to look for heroes in others, saying he was “just an ordinary citizen” and not a “modern day Gandhi” or a hero.

“Please don’t look for a hero in someone else. Be the hero of your own life. Do your civic duty,” he said in a video posted on X.

He also called on people to join a proposed march to Parliament on July 20, saying citizens should come together and press MPs to address issues related to alleged irregularities in investigations.

The CJP is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and compensation of ₹ 1 crore to the families of students who committed suicide due to alleged examination irregularities.

The department also announced a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20, the opening day of the monsoon session.

The CJP protest began on June 20, while Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and has been on an indefinite hunger strike since then.

Published – 12 Jul 2026 13:50 IST