To Lead Parliament March on Monday

New Delhi: Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday asserted that she will “survive until July 20 at any cost” even as her indefinite hunger strike entered its 20th day as doctors warned that her prolonged fast had reached a critical stage.

As the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar over alleged examination irregularities enters its 28th day, Wangchuk urged people to take large turnout for the team’s proposed march to Parliament on July 20.

Addressing supporters at the protest site, Wangchuk acknowledged that his physical condition had weakened, but said his determination remained unshaken.

“I am weak on the outside but very strong on the inside. I’m sure you are all strong inside and out. We need this energy for July 20, when we will march peacefully to the Parliament. We will all go together and present our demand in the temple of democracy,” he said.

“I will survive until July 20 at any cost. If you do not come and July 20 is not successful, I will return as a ghost,” he said in a lighter tone, drawing cheers from the meeting.

Doctors involved in Wangchuk’s treatment on Thursday warned that his condition had entered a critical stage due to long-term fasting and that the next stage could be worrying, and that if the hunger strike continued, the possibility of organ damage could arise.

However, Wangchuk refused to cancel the fast, saying that ending the fast without any response from the government would send the wrong message. He argued that his focus now was to make the July 20 Parliament march a success.

The matter also reached the Delhi High Court; The court ordered authorities to monitor Wangchuk’s health daily and provide medical assistance if his condition worsens.

Meanwhile, the All India Students Association (AISA), affiliated with CPI(ML) Liberation, said that the situation of its members Neha, Manish and Aameen, who are on an indefinite hunger strike at a separate stage of the protest site, has reached “serious stages”.

Aameen was at risk of hypovolemic shock due to dehydration, Neha’s random blood sugar level dropped to a dangerous 49 mg/dL and Manish lost more than 10 per cent of his body weight, AISA said in a statement.

“However, the students are determined to remain in solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk until she confronts the government’s crimes,” the organization said.

CJP has been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and compensation of Rs 1 crore to the families of students who allegedly died by suicide due to allegations of examination irregularities. The League called for a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20, coinciding with the opening day of the Monsoon Session.

The CJP protest began on June 20, while Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and has remained on an indefinite hunger strike since then.

Pawan Khera Met Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar

Congress leader Pawan Khera on Friday met activist Sonam Wangchuk and other members of the Cockroach Janata Party, who are protesting at Jantar Mantar over the alleged paper leaks, and expressed solidarity with them. The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has been protesting for over 25 days demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET exam.

Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and has been on an indefinite fast since then.

Congress has already called on Wangchuk to end his hunger strike and said they were concerned about his health.

The visit comes a day after former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav met Wangchuk and others at Jantar Mantar.

Yadav urged the Center to initiate dialogue with Wangchuk and address the demands put forward by the CJP and accused the BJP-led Union government of inaction despite the ongoing hunger strike and deaths of students related to the alleged leak of NEET papers.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Thursday said the party has been demanding Pradhan’s resignation for over a month.

“We share the pain and anger felt by Shri Wangchuk ji over the lack of accountability within the Modi Government, especially the collapse of the examination system.

Venugopal had said in