15 July,2026 04:48 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk being attended by medical professionals as Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke looks on during a protest, at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi, on Wednesday. PIC/PTI
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has called for a one-day mass hunger strike on Thursday at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk and students, as the Ladakh-based activist completed the 18th day of his indefinite hunger strike.
"Tomorrow, July 16, join us for a one-day mass hunger strike in solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk and the students of this country," the CJP announced in a post on X, accompanied by a poster urging support for justice and prayers for the activist.
The CJP's protest at Jantar Mantar against alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) examination entered its 26th day on Wednesday.
According to the medical bulletin issued by the CJP, Wangchuk remains "very weak" and is under round-the-clock medical supervision. His weight has fallen to 57.15 kg, a drop of 400 grams in the past 24 hours, taking his total weight loss since the beginning of the fast to 8.9 kg. His blood pressure was recorded at 105/76, blood sugar at 80 mg/dL, oxygen saturation at 97 per cent, while hydration was described as fair.
Doctors said he remained conscious and mentally alert but required continuous monitoring.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, in a post on X, accused the government of being "cruel" for refusing to engage in dialogue with the protesters.
"Day 18 of Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike. The man who chose to put his own life on the line to seek justice for students who died by suicide has received nothing but silence from the government. The government is not just unaccountable; it is also cruel," Dipke said on X.
Dipke said the questions that deserved answers were why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was refusing to engage in dialogue and why Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had still not been held accountable.
"Instead of asking why opposition leader hasn't supported CJP, or why every CJP team member isn't on a hunger strike alongside Sonam sir, ask the questions that actually matter," he said.
"Why is the Prime Minister refusing to engage in a dialogue? Why is the Education Minister still not being held accountable? These are the questions that deserve answers, not distractions that only help shield those in power from accountability," he said.
(With PTI inputs)
