Sonam Wangchuk says she will ‘stay alive till July 20’, seeks support for parliamentary march | Today’s news
As climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk’s sustained hunger strike entered its 20th day on Friday, he declared that he would “stay alive till July 20 at any cost”, amid warnings from his doctors that his fast had reached a critical stage.
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Addressing his supporters at the protest site, Wangchuk, who has been on hunger strike since June 28, acknowledged that his physical condition was weakening but noted that his resolve remained unwavering, news agency PTI reported.
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Sonam Wangchuk is on hunger strike to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in examination processes, as well as to push for wider education reforms.
Wangchuk believes ending the hunger strike without any response from the government would send the wrong message, emphasizing the need for a successful march to parliament on July 20.
His health deteriorated significantly, doctors warned of possible organ damage. He has lost more than 9 kg and is in the critical phase of prolonged starvation, where muscle breakdown occurs.
The Delhi High Court ordered that Wangchuk’s health be monitored daily by government doctors to provide necessary medical intervention as needed.
Yes, Sonam Wangchuk called on her supporters to come to the march in large numbers, stressing that their presence is crucial to the success of the protest and the advocacy of their demands.
He said: “I am weak on the outside but very strong on the inside. I am sure you all are strong on the inside and outside. We need this energy for July 20 when we will take a peaceful march to the parliament. We will go together and make our plea at the temple of democracy.”
Wangchuk added, “I will stay alive until July 20th at any cost. If you don’t come and July 20th is not successful, I will return as a ghost.”
His remarks came as the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest against alleged examination irregularities in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar entered its 28th day. CJP seeks resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and ₹1 million in compensation to the families of students who allegedly committed suicide due to examination irregularities. Wangchuk also called on people to turn out in large numbers for the group’s proposed march to parliament on July 20.
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Wangchuk refuses to call off hunger strike
According to the report, doctors treating the climate activist warned that his health had reached a critical stage after the prolonged fast. They added that the next phase could be dangerous, with the risk of organ damage if the hunger strike continues.
However, Wangchuk refused to call off the hunger strike. He noted that ending it without receiving any response from the government would send the wrong message and insisted that we should only focus on making the July 20 march to parliament a success.
The issue of his strike has also reached the Delhi High Court, which recently ordered the authorities to monitor his health daily and provide medical assistance if his condition worsens.
Conditions of hunger strike of AISA members in the “severe” phase
The CPI (ML) Liberation-affiliated All India Students Association (AISA) on Friday said the condition of its members Neha, Manish and Aameen, who are also on an indefinite hunger strike at a separate location at Jantar Mantar, has reached a “serious stage”.
In a statement, the association said Aameen was at risk of hypovolemic shock due to dehydration, while Neha’s blood sugar dropped to a dangerous 49 mg/dL and Manish lost more than 10 percent of his body weight.
The opposition supports Wangchuk, criticizes the government
Congress leader Pawan Khera met Wangchuk and other CJP members at Jantar Mantar on Friday and expressed solidarity with them. The party has already called on Wangchuk to end his indefinite hunger strike, adding that it is concerned about his health. Kher’s visit comes a day after former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav met Wangchuk and others.
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Extending support to Wangchuk, Khera said: “We are all concerned about the health of Sonam Wangchuk. We are dealing with a highly insensitive government that does not understand the language of democratic protest. When we are faced with such a government, methods of protest must evolve…Risking life against this government will not bring results.”
