Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday said he has lost “nearly 20% of his body” during his indefinite hunger strike but remained resolute, asserting that if governments could fall over rising onion prices, seeking accountability for students could also bring political change.

In a video message shared at the end of the 20th day of his fast, Wangchuk urged people to join the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed Parliament march on July 20 in large numbers, saying public participation was the movement’s biggest strength.

“Yes, I am still alive. Twenty per cent of my body is gone. After fats, muscles are gone. After that, organs will go. Finally, the brain. The time has not come yet,” Mr. Wangchuk said.

-PTI

Activist Sonam Wangchuk lost 350 grams in weight and was experiencing mild dehydration on Friday (July 26, 2026), his physician Satish Lamba said, according to a statement issued by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Mr. Wangchuk has entered the 20th day of his indefinite hunger strike demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

Academics, filmmakers and civil society activists appealed to Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike, calling him “our collective conscience”.

The joint appeal had over 60 signatories, including Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee, authors Amitav Ghosh, Arundhati Roy, Kiran Desai and filmmakers Zoya Akhtar, Honey Trehan and Vishal Bharadwaj.

“Sonam Wangchuk -- on the 20th excruciating day of his hunger strike -- is our collective conscience, a great protector and ally of the environment and of young people in India.

PTI

Over 160 prominent citizens from various walks of life in Assam, including litterateurs, academics, poets, journalists and retired government officials, appealed to activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his indefinite fast, saying that “compassion or civility” cannot be expected from a “wooden-hearted and power-driven” dispensation.

They claimed that Wangchuk has exposed the “heartlessness and insensitivity” of those in power by not responding to his protest.

PTI

The health of three All India Students’ Association (AISA) activists, who are on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar to protest alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, deteriorated further, with doctors advising one of them to be hospitalised immediately due to severe hypoglycaemia.

The student organisation said the three activists have completed 20 days of hunger strike, even as the Centre remained unresponsive to their demands.

In a statement, AISA said one of their blood sugar level has fallen to a critically low level, and doctors have advised her to end the fast and get admitted to the hospital before her condition worsens.

PTI

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule met activist Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar, urging him call off his prolonged fast and asserted that the matter of NEET-UG students would be raised in the Monsoon Session of the parliament which starts on July 20.

Speaking after the meeting, Ms. Sule said that the Opposition would carry his fight forward inside Parliament.

“We have come to request Sonam Wangchuk to give up the hunger strike. If there is a fight to be fought, we will all fight it in Parliament as well. The parliamentary session begins on Monday; we will raise all these issues, including the concerns of the NEET students,” Ms. Sule said.

ANI

Former Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar met Sonam Wangchuk and requested him to preserve his health and life by ending his fast.

In a statement, Mr. Kumar said the lives of conscientious dissenters should be prized and not compromised, as he lauded Mr. Wangchuk for having fought for public causes dear to him.

“In any responsive and dignitarian democracy, the lives of conscientious dissenters should be prized and not compromised for any reason,” he said.

PTI

Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Shirsat said he hoped that the ongoing hunger strike by activist Sonam Wangchuk in New Delhi, demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination, would end soon.

“The hunger strike has entered its 20th day. The court has also taken note of it. Our party’s stand is that this agitation should be stopped with a positive way out,” he said.

- PTI

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said on Friday (July 17, 2026) the refusal of the elected government at the Centre to engage with the protesting youth at Jantar Mantar indicated a colonial mindset.

“The distressing scenes unfolding at Jantar Mantar, where Sonam Wangchuk is risking his life to safeguard the future of our Gen Z, evoke memories of the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters to liberate India from colonial rule. The British may have left, but the colonial mindset seems to endure,” Ms. Mufti said in a post on X.

“How else can one explain the indifference of a democratically elected government that remains so callous that it refuses to engage with the youth at Jantar Mantar, the very generation that will shape India’s future?” Ms. Mufti asked.

- PTI

Congress, RJD and AAP leaders on Friday (July 17, 2026) questioned actor Aamir Khan’s statement that his character in the film ‘3 Idiots’ was not based on education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, suggesting he was unwilling to take a stand out of fear of the ruling establishment.

RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha questioned the timing of Khan’s clarification. “How many years did it take him to say this? Until now, everyone knew that [Wangchuk’s life inspired a character in 3 Idiots]. It shows that keeping one’s spine straight before those in power is not easy,” Mr. Jha told PTI.

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh also criticised the actor. “Whether it is Aamir Khan or anyone else, this Modi government has exposed everyone’s character. They have all bowed before it. They do not have the courage to speak,” Mr. Singh told PTI.

- PTI

Activist Sonam Wangchuk lost 350 grams in weight and is undergoing mild dehydration, his physician Satish Lamba said, according to a statement by the Cockroach Janta Party. Mr. Wangchuk has entered the 20th day of his hunger strike demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

Mr. Wangchuk’s blood pressure stood at 108/68mmHg, blood sugar at 80mg/dL and had a pulse of 72bpm. He still remains “mentally alert,” Dr. Lamba said. 

Three students from the CPI(ML) Liberation’s All India Students’ Association, who are undergoing a concurrent hunger strike, have been advised to no longer walk, and will be using a wheelchair for the rest of their fast, former AISA president Sai Balaji said.

- Aroon Deep

Congress leader Kumari Selja on Friday (July 17, 2026) said Sonam Wangchuk’s 19-day hunger strike symbolises the concerns of millions of students and youth over recurring paper leaks, flaws in the examination system and the lack of accountability.

Ms. Selja, a Congress MP from Sirsa, said repeated incidents of paper leaks and alleged failure to take effective action against those responsible have undermined the confidence of students in the examination system.

She said the government has a responsibility to ensure a fair and transparent examination process, as the trust of young people is a key pillar of any democratic system.

- PTI

Congress leader Pawan Khera on Friday (July 17, 2026) met activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and urged him to end his fast in view of his deteriorating health.

In a post on X after the meeting, Khera said peaceful protest is a constitutional right in a democracy and asserted that it is the government’s duty to engage with citizens who undertake a fast to have their voices heard.

“In a democracy, peaceful protest is a constitutional right. When citizens undertake a fast to be heard, the duty of the government is to listen -- not look away. That is Raj Dharma,” Mr. Khera said.

- ANI

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Friday (July 17) expressed concern over climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s deteriorating health amid his ongoing hunger strike, urging the High Court to take cognisance of the matter and alleging that the government was being “insensitive” to the issue.

Speaking to media in Nagpur, Mr. Raut said, “The High Court should take cognisance. They should take responsibility for the NEET paper leak and seek the resignation of the minister concerned.”

“It has now been 20 days of Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike. His condition is very serious, with the possibility of organ failure. Are these reports not reaching the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, or President Droupadi Murmu? They are being insensitive,” he added.

-ANI

The Delhi High Court has agreed to hear on Monday (July 20, 2026) a PIL against the alleged “intrusive surveillance” by police of Cockroach Janta Party protesters at Jantar Mantar. 

The plea by former JNU Students’ Union president Aishe Ghosh has challenged the installation and operation of a permanent surveillance tower and systematic photography and videography of protesters by the Delhi Police.

The senior counsel of the petitioner said that policemen were roaming with mobiles and cameras at the protest site, which, they claim, was breaking the morale of the protesting students.

She claimed that the police’s conduct was in flagrant violation of the fundamental right to privacy of the protesters.

-THB

Sikkim University Students’ Association (SUSA) has extended its support to educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, over alleged examination irregularities.

Mr. Wangchuk on Friday (July 17) asserted that he would “stay alive till July 20 at any cost”, even as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 20th day amid a warning from doctors that his prolonged fast has reached a critical stage.

SUSA in a press statement on Thursday voiced concern over Mr. Wangchuk’s deteriorating health and said that his peaceful protest had grown into a larger movement demanding accountability and transparency in public examinations.

-PTI

Rao shared a picture of Wangchuk on her Instagram handle on Thursday, which read “I support Sonam” and said it is distressing to “witness the complete silence” despite his hunger strike.

“I stand in solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk, Abhijeet Dipke, the CJP, and all the citizens of this country, young and old, who are protesting for the rights of our students. My salaams to Sonam ji, Neha, Maneesh, Ameen and all the others for undertaking a hunger strike to make sure that justice is served. Our nation is indebted to you for shaking us out of our apathy and reminding us that every voice counts,” she wrote.

“It is so distressing to witness the complete silence that this hunger strike has been met with, even after 19 days. What will it take for those in power to listen to the people?… it is shocking and inhumane,” she added.

Bollywood star Aamir Khan said his character in the film “3 Idiots” was not based on Sonam Wangchuk, calling it a “misconception” and expressed concern over the activist’s hunger strike.

Mr. Khan said during the making of the film neither he nor the writers of the film knew about Mr. Wangchuk.

“No, that’s not true actually. That is a misconception. I didn’t know about Mr Sonam at that time when we were doing this film ‘3 Idiots’... I want to tell you neither Raju nor Abhijat, the writers of the film, nor I. We didn’t know about Mr Sonam. However, what Mr Sonam is doing is good work in any case. He doesn’t have to be based on the character of ‘3 Idiots’ for us to respect him and the work that he does,” he said.

The actor concluded by urging Mr. Wangchuk to stop his hunger strike. “I think all of us are very concerned for his health...We hope that it ends well. All of us are hoping he ends his fast and looks after his health,” he said.

-PTI

Maharashtra’s Opposition figures came out in support of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and urged him to end his indefinite fast as they slammed the Centre for not resolving issue of exam irregularities and failing to reach out to him.

Accusing the Union government of failing to accept responsibility for repeated examination paper leaks, NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil urged Wangchuk (59) to end his indefinite hunger strike.

Describing the Ladakh-based activist as “a national asset”, the former Maharashtra minister said he should not be forced to risk his life because of the government’s refusal to act responsibly.

-PTI

Congress leader Pawan Khera on Friday (July 17) met activist Sonam Wangchuk and other members of the Cockroach Janta Party protesting at Jantar Mantar here over alleged paper leaks, and expressed solidarity with them.

The Congress has already urged Mr. Wangchuk to end his hunger fast and said they were concerned about his health.

Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday (July 17) asserted that he would “stay alive till July 20 at any cost”, even as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 20th day amid a warning from doctors that his prolonged fast has reached a critical stage.

Addressing supporters at the protest site, Mr. Wangchuk acknowledged his weakening physical condition but said his resolve remained unshaken.

“I am weak from the outside but very strong inside. I am sure all of you are strong from the inside, and outside too. We need this energy for July 20, when we will take out a peaceful march to Parliament. We will go together and present our plea in the temple of democracy,” he said.

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Even as his fast approached a critical stage on Thursday (July 16, 2026), Sonam Wangchuk’s predicament attracted more voices of support, with Jantar Mantar’s protest site seeing a massive increase in crowds as former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal came to the site. 

Dimple Yadav, Samajwadi Party MP from Mainpuri, also visited Mr. Wangchuk and urged the Union government to “show some sensitivity” to the protest. Actor Sonakshi Sinha posted a video on Instagram in support of Mr. Wangchuk. “Who is he doing this for?” she said. “It’s for our children’s future and those who lost their lives … I am no ‘anti-national’.”

Here’s the full story

Multiple Supreme Court judgments and orders highlight the state’s paternalistic duty of care to preserve the life of a person on a hunger strike without disrupting his right to dissent.

Yet the government has responded to activist Sonam Wanghuk’s ongoing fasting at Jantar Mantar with silence for the past 19 days even as an alarmed Delhi High Court asserted on July 16 that the “life of any citizen is precious”.

Read the analysis here

With activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health condition worsening from his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, the Delhi High Court ordered the Union and Delhi governments to ensure regular monitoring of his health.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court ordered that Mr. Wangchuk must be “regularly medically checked up by government doctors.” During the hearing, a Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia asked Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta whether any mechanism was in place to monitor Mr. Wangchuk’s health. Responding to the query, Mr. Mehta submitted that Mr. Wangchuk undergoes a daily health check-up.

Read the full story below

With activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health condition worsening on the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, the Delhi High Court ordered the Union and Delhi governments to ensure regular monitoring of his health.

Doctors warned on Thursday (July 16, 2026) that Mr. Wangchuk’s health condition had entered a critical stage. Satish Lamba, a doctor who has been examining Mr. Wangchuk regularly, said he has lost over 9 kg, but remains “mentally alert”. However, Dr. Lamba warned later in the evening that his body was likely consuming muscles and his organs may be next.

Read the story here

Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health condition has entered a critical stage due to his prolonged fast and the next phase could be alarming and his organs could get affected, doctors warned on Thursday (July 16, 2026) as appeals came in from several quarters to call off his hunger strike.

According to the latest medical bulletin issued by Dr. Satish Lamba, Mr. Wangchuk has lost more than nine kg since beginning his hunger strike on June 28. He now weighs 56.9 kg.

- PTI