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”.
With Wangchuk’s indefinite fast entering Day 16, his health has deteriorated further. According to a health update shared by CJP, Wangchuk’s blood pressure was recorded at 107/70 mm Hg. His total weight loss since the beginning of the hunger strike has reached 8.2 kg.
The CJP protest at Jantar Mantar over alleged examination irregularities entered Day 24 on Monday. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke appealed to the Centre not to turn the issue into “a battle of egos” and urged it to address the protesters’ demands.
“Day 16 of Wangchuk’s hunger strike. I request the government not to turn this into a battle of egos as human lives are at stake here,” Dipke said in a post on X.
“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 added.
AAP, CPI(M) leaders visit protest site
On the day, an AAP delegation led by former Delhi chief minister Atishi visited the protest site and expressed solidarity with the agitation, according to the CJP.
CPI(M) MP Amra Ram, along with senior CPI(M) leaders from Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, also visited the protest site and backed the demands. The visiting leaders also extended support to the proposed peaceful march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament on July 20.
Also Read: CJP announces Parliament march after 23 days of protest; Wangchuk still on fast
According to the CJP, the AAP delegation reiterated its support for the movement, demanded a transparent, fair, and credible examination system and backed the demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Health of students on hunger strike deteriorates further
Members of the CPI(ML) Liberation-affiliated All India Students’ Association (AISA) – Neha, Manish, Deepak, and Aameen – continued their indefinite hunger strike on a separate stage at the protest site.
In a statement, the AISA said Atishi met the students on hunger strike and expressed concern over what it described as the state of democracy, where students had remained on an indefinite fast for weeks without any positive response from the government.
It also said the health of the students on hunger striker has deteriorated further, but asserted that the protest would continue.
Uddhav Thackeray announces ‘complete support’ to protest
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday backed the protest of Cockroach Janta Party and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk in Delhi over alleged irregularities in NEET exams, saying parties should support the stir without bringing in their political affiliations.
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, should support the agitation, he said at a press conference in Mumbai, while appealing to Wangchuk to withdraw his hunger strike which entered the 16th day on Monday, insisting his life was precious, but the Centre appeared unconcerned and insensitive about his protest.
“Today, I announce my complete support to the protest of (CJP founder) Abhijit Dipke and Sonam Wangchuk,” the former Maharashtra CM said.
He urged political parties to hold protest in their respective states on this issue.
Also Read: Can Wangchuk’s hunger strike evolve into education reforms movement? | Capital Beat
“All political parties should do something in their respective states and awaken the country because till that time these people will not know their place,” Thackeray maintained.
He pointed out that the government was yet to send a high-level delegation to talk to Wangchuk to end the deadlock.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said Dipke has claimed there is a conspiracy to scuttle the protest and added all youths and their parents should join the protest as it is not a political issue, but concerns the country.
There was nothing lowly in asking Union Education Minister Pradhan to resign and appointing someone more capable than him, the Sena (UBT) leader argued.
On July 20, when the CJP undertakes a march to Parliament, the Sena (UBT) will stage a protest in Maharashtra to extend support to their cause, he declared. Sena (UBT) MPs will raise the issue of the CJP protest during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Thackeray said.
Also Read: Sonam Wangchuk loses 7 kg as hunger strike enters Day 11
Thackeray said the country should have used the Ladakh-based activist’s talent, but instead he was dubbed a “traitor” and jailed.
The educator-climate activist was detained last year after violent protests over demands for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution rocked Leh in September. He was released from Jodhpur Central Jail on March 14, 2026, after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs revoked his detention under the National Security Act.
Thackeray said he will go to Nagpur on July 18 to take part in the “Ram Raksha” protest, which he launched earlier this month against the alleged embezzlement of donations to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Opposition leaders express support
Several leaders from the opposition parties including Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, CPI(M), and others have either expressed their solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party or visited the protest site at Jantar Mantar.
Mahua Moitra and Kirti Azad of the TMC, MA Baby, Brinda Karat, and KK Shailaja of the CPI(M), Atishi and Sanjay Singh of the AAP, and several others have been vocal about their support for the CJP’s protest.
Also Read: CJP alleges Delhi police cut water supply after Wangchuk joins Jantar Mantar protest
Talking to reporters earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut alleged the government does not want Wangchuk to be alive.
Peaceful march to Parliament on July 20
The CJP has been demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra 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, the opening day of the Monsoon Session.
Also Read: Jantar Mantar protest day 16: Sonam Wangchuk loses 6 kg after 8 days on fast
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)’s protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over alleged examination irregularities has been underway for 24 days now. Educator and climate activist Wangchuk (59) joined the protest on June 28 and began an indefinite hunger strike at the site in support of the CJP stir.
(With agency inputs)
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