Cockroach Janta Party announces India-wide hunger strike as Sonam Wangchuk’s health worsens
New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has announced an India-wide one-day hunger strike on Thursday (tomorrow) in solidarity with Ladakhi climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and students protesting irregularities in the NEET 2026 and other examinations.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the announcement came as an indefinite hunger strike by Wangchuk, an engineer, a respected educationist and climate activist from the Ladakh region of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, entered its 18th day on Wednesday, while the CJP’s sit-in protest, led by founder Abhijeet Dipke, at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar entered its 25th day.
Both Wangchuk and the CJP have demanded the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the examination irregularities.
In a statement, the CJP urged people across India to join the protest. “Tomorrow, July 16, join us for a one-day mass hunger strike in solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk and the students of this country. Dharmendra Pradhan must resign,” the party said.
Meanwhile, concerns over Wangchuk’s health have continued to mount. According to the doctors, the activist has lost over 8.9 kg since beginning his fast on June 28, has started losing muscle mass, and is experiencing severe pain. He blood pressure has also dropped to 105/76.
Despite his deteriorating condition, Wangchuk has refused to end his fast, insisting that the Modi government initiate a dialogue on the issues raised by the protesters.
As his health worsened, several Indian opposition leaders, including Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, Uddhav Thackeray, Shashi Tharoor and Arvind Kejriwal, appealed to him to call off his hunger strike.
Meanwhile, a petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking directions to shift Wangchuk to a hospital and ensure he receives necessary medical treatment, including force-feeding, if required.
Escalating its agitation, the CJP has also announced a “Chalo Sansad” march on July 20, the opening day of the Indian Parliament’s Monsoon Session, and urged supporters across the country to register their participation through a missed-call campaign.
