Sonam Wangchuk loses 8.5 kg as hunger strike enters Day 17; health concerns mount

Climate activist from Ladakh Sonam Wangchukrsquos hunger strike against the alleged NEET UG 2026 paper leak and the demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhanrsquos resignation has entered its 17th day on TuesdayThe activist has lost 85 kg of body weight during his ongoing hunger strike with his latest health assessment recording a blood pressure reading of 10970 according to updates shared by supportersHunger Strike Day 17Sonam Wangchukrsquos health continues to deteriorateHe has lost 85 kg weight Blood pressure at 10970 pictwittercomjoLhNAmD4Mmdash Cockroach is Back Cockroachisback July 14 2026Cockroach Janta Party CJP founding president Abhijeet Dipke in a post on X expressed concern over Wangchukrsquos deteriorating health stating that the activist has started losing muscle mass and is experiencing severe pain during the ongoing fastSharing an update Dipke said ldquoDay 17 of Sonam Sirrsquos hunger strike Sonam Wangchuk has started losing muscle mass and is in immense pain Like everyone else I begged him to end his fastrdquoDay 17 of Sonam Sirrsquos HungerStrikeHe has started losing muscle mass and is in immense pain Like everyone else I begged him to end his fastHe calmly replied ldquoDonrsquot ask me to end my fast Ask the govt why they wonrsquot even have a dialoguerdquo pictwittercomxPKFqJz4vLmdash Abhijeet Dipke abhijeet_dipke July 14 2026Wangchuk urges government to hold dialogueAccording to Dipke Wangchuk responded by urging the government to initiate a dialogue instead of asking him to call off the protest ldquoDonrsquot ask me to end my fast Ask the government why they wonrsquot even have a dialoguerdquo Wangchuk was quoted as sayingProtesters seek accountability over alleged NEET paper leakThe protest has been centred around demands for accountability over the alleged NEET UG 2026 paper leak and calls for action against those responsible Supporters have also urged the government to engage in discussions with the protestersActivist continues fast despite health concernsWangchuk known for his environmental advocacy and activism on issues concerning Ladakh has continued his hunger strike despite concerns over his health condition Supporters have been closely monitoring his condition as the fast enters its third weekDipke thanks UddhavThackerayDipke said he had a conversation with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray who ldquoexpressed deep concernrdquo over Wangchukrsquos health and appealed to the activist to call off his hunger strike stating that his wellbeing was of ldquoutmost importancerdquoldquoHad a call with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray who expressed deep concern over Sonam Sirrsquos rapidly deteriorating health He earnestly appealed to Sonam Sir to end his hunger strike saying that his wellbeing is of utmost importancerdquo Dipke posted on XThanking Thackeray for his support Dipke added that the Shiv Sena leader had extended solidarity to CJP and their upcoming ldquoMarch to Parliamentrdquo scheduled for July 20Had a call with Shiv Sena chief OfficeofUT who expressed deep concern over Sonam Sirrsquos rapidly deteriorating health He earnestly appealed to Sonam Sir to end his hunger strike saying that his wellbeing is of utmost importance Would like to thank Uddhav Sir for hishellipmdash Abhijeet Dipke abhijeet_dipke July 14 2026Aaditya Thackeray backs CJP protest at Jantar Mantar says NEET issue goes beyond politicsExtending support to the Cockroach Janta Partyrsquos CJP protest at Jantar Mantar Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray said the issue surrounding the alleged NEET UG 2026 paper leak goes beyond political differences and concerns the future of lakhs of studentsIn a post on X Thackeray said the protest represents a larger fight for students facing uncertainty due to what he described as an ldquoirresponsible governmentrdquo and an ldquoincapable ministerrdquoldquoThis is beyond politics something we must all support while all of us voice the lakhs of students who face a future that is uncertain because of an irresponsible government and an incapable ministerrdquo Thackeray postedThis is beyond politics something we must all support while all of us voice the lakhs of students who face a future that is uncertain because of an irresponsible government and an incapable ministerWangchuk66 ji has been fasting to voice these students Standing with you httpstcoVcTKiCAcZdmdash Aaditya Thackeray AUThackeray July 14 2026Uddhav Thackeray extends support to Sonam WangchukMeanwhile Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday extended his support to the ongoing CJP protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi calling it a ldquogenuine movement for studentsrdquo and urging all political parties to come together in support of the protestersAddressing a press conference Thackeray said he would personally join the protest in the national capital if required and appealed to all political parties including the Congress and even the BJP to participate in the July 20 demonstrationThe Shiv Sena UBT chief said the focus of the ruling party was on ldquobreaking political partiesrdquo instead of addressing issues affecting the countryrsquos futureldquoThe ruling partyrsquos main focus is breaking parties but they are not looking at the countryrsquos future I have called this press conference to speak about the CJP protest at Jantar Mantarrdquo Thackeray saidHe also praised activist Sonam Wangchuk for supporting students and their future claiming that the activist had been on a hunger strike for 16 daysldquoWe need people like Sonam Wangchuk in this country who work for the welfare of the nationrdquo Thackeray said bull mdash Office of Uddhav Thackeray OfficeofUT July 13 2026