Sonam Wangchuk isn’t doing well. The climate activist and education reformer entered the 16th day of his hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Monday, July 13, and doctors are seeing real trouble — falling blood pressure, sharp weight loss, the kind of numbers that would normally send anyone straight to a hospital bed. Yet he’s refusing to stop. Behind the fast is the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a protest group pushing hard for one thing above all else: the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, over what they call serious irregularities in the NEET-UG exam process.
- Wangchuk’s hunger strike entered its 16th day on Monday, July 13, with total weight loss reaching 7.8 kg since the fast began.
- His blood pressure dropped to 104/66 mm Hg, and doctors have flagged the decline as a growing concern.
- The broader CJP protest at Jantar Mantar has now crossed its 24th day, originally beginning on June 20, with Wangchuk joining on June 28.
- The central demand remains Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, alongside compensation of Rs 1 crore for families of students who died by suicide over the examination scandals.
- Wangchuk has said he is prepared to continue the fast for up to six weeks, or until death, unless the government responds to the protesters’ demands.
What Triggered the Protest
Rewind to May 3, and you’ll find where this all started: the NEET-UG exam that year, cancelled after allegations of a leaked paper started circulating. A re-test followed on June 21, but by then the damage was done. Students and their families were furious. The CJP says the exam system has been mishandled again and again, and points to a string of student suicides they link directly to the fallout. Their protest at Jantar Mantar kicked off on June 20 — Wangchuk wasn’t part of it at first. He joined a week later, on June 28, launching his own indefinite fast alongside the movement.
🚨 NEET-UG 2026 CANCELLED 🚨#navbharatjournal #neetug #neetcancel #examcancel pic.twitter.com/ym8Bjk6THx
— Nav Bharat Journal (@nbharatjournal) May 12, 2026
How Wangchuk’s Health Has Changed Over the Fast
The health bulletins tell their own story, and it isn’t a good one. In the first few days, Wangchuk had dropped about 2 kg and was showing signs of dehydration and low blood sugar — nothing alarming yet, he said, just tired. By day seven, the weight loss had climbed to around 5 kg. That’s when CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke started publicly asking why Pradhan hadn’t been removed yet, given how serious things had become. Day 11 brought sharper numbers: 59.40 kg on the scale, a heart rate of 74 bpm, blood oxygen at 98 percent. Doctors said he was still mentally sharp and reasonably hydrated, at least. By day 15, the total weight loss had reached 7.8 kg, with his blood pressure slipping further. And on day 16, that same 7.8 kg figure held — but his blood pressure was recorded at 104/66 mm Hg, as the CJP protest overall crossed its 24th day.
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Wangchuk’s Own Words on the Protest
Despite the toll on his health, Wangchuk has repeatedly framed the fast as a long-term commitment rather than a short-term pressure tactic. Speaking to The Quint, he said this marks the sixth hunger strike of his life, each one longer than the last, and that this round is intended to run for “six weeks or death” unless the Centre responds meaningfully to concerns about the examination system and Ladakh’s pending constitutional demands. He has also pushed back on being cast as a singular hero of the movement, urging citizens instead to see themselves as responsible for driving change. In a video message, he asked people to stop looking for heroes elsewhere and instead fulfil their own responsibilities as citizens.
Growing Political and Public Support
The protest has drawn increasing attention from political figures and civil society groups as it has dragged on. A delegation from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) visited the protest site to express solidarity and back the CJP’s demands, including scrapping the NTA and securing compensation for affected families. More recently, former Kerala ministers and a Samajwadi Party MP were reported to be visiting the site to show support, reflecting the protest’s spread beyond its original student base. Separately, members of the CPI(ML) Liberation-affiliated All India Students’ Association (AISA) have continued their own indefinite hunger strike at a separate stage within the same protest site. On day 16, further political leaders and public intellectuals were reported to be scheduled to visit the protest site to express solidarity.
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Sonam Wangchuk’s Health Deteriorates During Hunger Strike as Protest Gains National Attentionhttps://t.co/KYppCCsh6x#navbharatjournal #sonamwangchuk #Health #cjp #protest pic.twitter.com/ZbJwOA7k5G
— Nav Bharat Journal (@nbharatjournal) July 13, 2026
What Happens Next
Wangchuk is banking on the Monsoon Session of Parliament to change something. He’s hopeful lawmakers will finally take up an overhaul of the exam system, and address Ladakh’s long-pending demands while they’re at it. He’s also asked people to join a march to Parliament on July 20. For now, though, his health keeps sliding, and the government hasn’t budged on the one demand that matters most to the protesters — Pradhan’s resignation. Nobody at the protest site expects this to end soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days has Sonam Wangchuk been on hunger strike?
As of Monday, July 13, Wangchuk’s hunger strike had reached its 16th day, while the broader CJP protest at Jantar Mantar had crossed its 24th day.
How much weight has Sonam Wangchuk lost during the fast?
His total weight loss had reached 7.8 kg by the 16th day of the strike, according to health bulletins issued by the protest organisers.
What is the CJP protesting against?
The Cockroach Janta Party is demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, scrapping of the National Testing Agency, and compensation for families of students who died by suicide, citing alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.
Why was the NEET-UG exam re-conducted?
The original NEET-UG exam held on May 3 was cancelled following allegations of a paper leak, leading to a re-test on June 21.
How long does Sonam Wangchuk plan to continue his fast?
Wangchuk has said he is prepared to continue for up to six weeks, or indefinitely, until the government responds to the protesters’ demands.
Sources and References
- Telangana Today – Jantar Mantar protest: Sonam Wangchuk’s health worsens on Day 11 of fast as NEET-UG stir enters Day 19
- The Quint – ‘Six Weeks or Death’: Sonam Wangchuk Vows to Continue Hunger Strike
- Livemint – Sonam Wangchuk’s health worsens on Day 16 of hunger strike
