‘Wangchuk not alone’: At least 21 continue indefinite hunger strike

Even as activist Sonam Wangchuk was rushed to hospital on Saturday morning (July 18, 2026) as he entered the 21st day of his hunger strike at a protest at Jantar Mantar called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), at least 21 protesters from across the country continued their hunger strike despite Mr Wanguk’s deteriorating health condition. they strengthened their resolve to continue until Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down as the Union Education Minister.

Also Read: Sonam Wangchuk Hunger Strike Highlights 18 July 2026

Even on the 28th day of the protest, the crowds continued to grow and volunteers at the medical counter handed out Strepsils and Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) to the protesters. As dozens of people filed in and out of the compound, the hunger strikers remained in their makeshift tents lined up a few meters from the stage to one side.

The tents were full of posters, boards full of slogans, bags, clothes, towels and other necessities. The names of those on hunger strike were plastered on the board along with the number of days they had been protesting.

All India Students Association (AISA) activists Neha, Ameen Amitoj and Manish Kumar, all Ph.D. scholars from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) and Allahabad University have been on hunger strike for 21 days.

Doctors have advised protesters on hunger strike to rest as much as possible, save energy and talk less. However, they made their points during press briefings in the sweltering heat of the afternoon. Neha said he would not stop his protest until “the government shakes”.

“We saw Sonam Wangchuk being detained by the police and they tried to pounce on us, but they couldn’t get to us because we were surrounded by people,” Manish said.

“Wangchuk is not alone”

Nitish, 30, who has been on hunger strike for 16 days, originally from Bihar and now working in Delhi, has not returned to work since the indefinite protest began. Here he met Amjad Khan, a 25-year-old from Rajasthan who decided to go on an indefinite hunger strike a day after Mr Wangchuk began his.

Along with them, Aaditya, a social activist from Uttar Pradesh, rejoined the hunger strike after she was forced to stop after falling ill on July 6. After Mr. Wangchuk was removed from the site, they tied a white patti with “kafan” written on it.

Mr. Nitish said, “Today we have tied it up and if they have to do anything to Wangchuk, sir, they will have to go through us first. And we are not even drinking water today, as a sign of our protest against what happened in the morning,” he said with cracked lips and firm determination.

Prathamesh Botwe, 25, a civil services aspirant, arrived at the protest site from Pune on July 16. Along with 22-year-old Shruti Arora, he continued his hunger strike and entered the third day on Saturday (July 18, 2026).

19-year-old Mayank, a NEET aspirant who also decided to join them, says, “I came here on June 6, then on June 20 and then regularly since June 28 when Mr. Wangchuk joined the protest from my house in UP Baraut. We all want change and that’s why we are all here. I will tell my friends to join the march days later.”

Surya Prakash Singh of Bulandshahr sits next to Ranglala Tanwera of Haryana. The two say they didn’t know each other before and met on the spot and formed smaller groups. Both said their families had called to “ask them to stop the hunger strike”, especially after Mr Wangchuk was picked up on Saturday (July 18, 2026).

The doctors pointed out that the hunger strikers were walking through the crowds to the mobile washrooms at either end of the compound.

Doctors express concern

Several doctors volunteered to conduct medical examinations of the protesters. Dr. Tilopa said three AISA protesters are in critical condition and have each lost 10% of their body weight. “Manish and Ameen’s gums are bleeding, which can be a sign of vitamin C deficiency, liver damage or protein deficiency. Neha’s blood sugar has dropped to dangerously low levels and has been fluctuating. If the strike continues for longer, it can lead to conditions like seizures, shock, organ failure and various other complications,” she said.

She said meal plans are created for them to avoid refeeding syndrome (a potentially fatal condition caused by the rapid initiation of refeeding after a period of malnutrition). However, she added: “I would like them to break their fast, but voluntarily and not by force.”

Published – 18 Jul 2026 23:10 IST