Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk has entered the 16th day of his hunger strike, with his health visibly deteriorating and doctors expressing serious concern. Wangchuk is protesting to demand accountability within India's education system.
According to reports, Wangchuk's blood sugar and blood pressure have dropped significantly. He experiences dizziness when trying to sit or stand and struggles with basic movements, such as walking to the restroom. Despite his physical pain and medical advice to end the fast, Wangchuk remains determined, stating he will not stop until the government addresses his demands.
Supporters and doctors alike have expressed worry over Wangchuk's declining health. Abhijeet Dipke, who is with Wangchuk, relayed that doctors have deemed it inappropriate for him to continue the hunger strike due to the risks involved. Dipke also mentioned receiving thousands of messages from individuals urging him to persuade Wangchuk to cease the protest. However, Wangchuk's resolve remains unbroken.
At the protest site in Jantar Mantar, calls for Wangchuk to end his fast are growing louder, with many attendees concerned about his deteriorating condition. Visitors, including Animesh Sahu, a 29-year-old engineer from Hyderabad, have expressed emotional concern and urged the government to pay attention to Wangchuk's plight. Satyaprakash Bharadwaj, a farmer, described Wangchuk as a valuable individual willing to sacrifice for younger generations and prayed for his well-being, emphasizing the need for him to remain strong to continue his fight.
Educationist Prof Nandita Narain commented that it is disheartening for someone with Wangchuk's contributions to public life to resort to a hunger strike. Narain appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast, citing the danger to his life and the importance of his sustained presence for the ongoing movement. She stressed the need for him to live to continue the battle for their cause. The protest, which began as a demonstration by the "Cockroach Janta Party," a parody collective addressing alleged irregularities in major examinations, has gained broader attention due to Wangchuk's participation and escalating health crisis.
