Eminent voices urge end to hunger strike as Wangchuk’s health worsens

Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has lost 8.2 kg since his indefinite hunger strike at the Jantar Mantar began, and his blood glucose level has dropped to 67 mg/dL, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) said on Monday (July 13), with its founder Abhijeet Dipke urging the Centre to address the protesters’ demands as “lives are at stake”.

During the day, a group of eminent citizens, including writer Arundhati Roy, actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, and economist Jayati Ghosh, appealed to the protesters to call off their fast, while extending full support to their demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

In a joint statement, the signatories said they were “immensely grateful” to the protesters for leading the agitation against the government but expressed deep concern over their worsening health. “We salute your sense of purpose, the determination and courage with which you are spearheading this movement for students and youth across the country,” the statement said.

Appeal to end fast

Appealing to the protesters to end their fast, they said, “We request you to please consider ending this hunger strike immediately in the interests of the longer and more difficult struggle ahead. This battle is a marathon, not a sprint, and we need you, your strength and leadership in the days to come.”

The signatories said they feared that the government’s failure to respond to the demands could further jeopardise the health of those on hunger strike. “We worry that their negligence in responding to your demands will only worsen the already fragile state of health that many of you are in,” they said.

Also read: Can Wangchuk’s hunger strike evolve into education reforms movement? | Capital Beat

The statement also appealed to the people of Delhi to participate in the CJP’s proposed march to Parliament on July 20, coinciding with the commencement of the monsoon session of Parliament.

AISA activist hospitalised

Besides Roy, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah and Jayati Ghosh, the statement was signed by academics Anuradha Chenoy, Nivedita Menon, Tanika Sarkar and Aditya Nigam, filmmaker Sanjay Kak, activist Lalita Ramdas, Kavita Srivastava, feminist Madhu Bhushan and cultural practitioner Arundhati Ghosh.

AISA activist Deepak, who was also on a hunger strike since June 28, was admitted to the RML Hospital on Monday after his health deteriorated. In a statement, AISA said Deepak had lost around 15 per cent of his body weight and his blood pressure had fallen to 80/40 mm Hg over the past three days, prompting doctors to advise immediate hospitalisation due to the risk of organ damage.

In a subsequent update, AISA said doctors informed them that Deepak was undergoing hypovolemic shock, a critical condition caused by inadequate blood flow to vital organs, and was receiving treatment to manage the condition.

Other members continue strike

The CJP has been holding a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and has been on an indefinite fast since then. His blood pressure was recorded at 107/70 mm Hg on Monday.

The organisation, however, said its members Neha, Manish and Aameen would continue the indefinite hunger strike.

Addressing a press conference, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke questioned why the government had not initiated talks with the protesters despite the prolonged agitation and the deteriorating health of those on hunger strike.

Also read: CJP announces Parliament march after 23 days of protest; Wangchuk still on fast

“I request the government not to turn this into a battle of egos as human lives are at stake. Acknowledging a mistake is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of maturity, accountability and the willingness to correct course. All we are asking for is accountability,” he said.

Government’s indifference

Dipke alleged that despite Wangchuk’s deteriorating condition, the Centre had not initiated any dialogue with protesters. “What kind of government is this? Sonam Wangchuk belongs to this country. He has brought global recognition to India through his work. Today, he is fighting for the students of this country, yet the government has not sent a single minister or delegation to speak with him. The government’s complete indifference is deeply unfortunate,” he said.

He slammed the government for not being concerned about the health of Wangchuk, a Magsaysay awardee and an eminent educator and innovator. “If they do not value his life, who are we... We are cockroaches,” Dipke said.

He said they had urged Wangchuk several times to end his fast, but the climate activist has refused to budge until the government accepts their demands.

Wait for dialogue

As Wangchuk’s fast entered Day 16, comparisons were also drawn with activist Anna Hazare’s 12-day fast in support of the Jan Lokpal in 2011.

Hazare initially went on hunger strike on April 5, 2011, withdrawing it four days later, after the erstwhile Union government formed a committee to look into his demands. In August 2011, Hazare once again launched a hunger strike, which lasted 12 days.

Also read: CJP alleges Delhi police cut water supply after Wangchuk joins Jantar Mantar protest

Asked why Wangchuk and the others are still fasting, while Hazare’s 2011 hunger strike ended after 12 days, Dipke said, “That was a different India... In today’s India, human lives are not valued.”

Dipke said the protesters are awaiting a response from the government and hoped it would initiate dialogue instead of allowing the situation to worsen.

Opposition parties to join July 20 march

Dipke also said leaders from several opposition parties were expected to join the proposed march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session.

CJP spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya said it was impossible to ask Wangchuk to withdraw his hunger strike while the government continued to ignore students affected by repeated examination irregularities.

She appealed to people across the country to join the proposed Parliament march on July 20, saying only strong public mobilisation would compel the government to engage with the protestors.

The outfit also announced a missed-call campaign to mobilise support for the march and urged people to participate in its “I Support Sonam” social media campaign.

Atishi expresses solidarity

Earlier in the day, an AAP delegation led by former Delhi chief minister Atishi visited the protest site and extended support to the agitation. CPI(M) MP Amra Ram, along with senior CPI(M) leaders from Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, also expressed solidarity with the protesters, according to the CJP.

Also read: CJP: Wangchuk calls himself 'honorary cockroach', urges govt to hear voices of youth

In a post on X, Atishi said repeated paper leaks are destroying the future of crores of youths, asserting that Wangchuk and several students have been on a hunger strike for 16 days demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

“We stand with them in this fight for the rights of the youth. This authoritarian BJP government will have to bow,” she wrote.

The CJP has been demanding Pradhan’s resignation and Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide over alleged examination irregularities. The outfit has also announced a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20.

(With agency inputs)