Hunger-Striking Activist Wangchuk's Health Declines as Protests Continue

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, on the seventh day of a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, has lost five kilograms and his health is deteriorating, according to the protest group calling itself the CJP. The group is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in examinations.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said on social media that Mr. Wangchuk's condition is worsening and questioned why the minister has not been removed. He also warned that the government would be responsible if the activist's health deteriorates further.

Mr. Wangchuk himself welcomed progress in talks between the Centre and Ladakh representatives regarding the region's demands, and urged the government to also focus on accountability in education. His remarks came after the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) said they had resolved differences with the Ministry of Home Affairs over the minutes of an earlier meeting, paving the way for the next phase of formal negotiations on Ladakh's proposed governance framework. The leaders of these bodies credited Mr. Wangchuk's fast for breaking the stalemate.

The protest, which began on June 20 over irregularities in exams including NEET, has drawn support from various political leaders and civil society members, including CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, CPI general secretary D Raja, CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, social activist Yogendra Yadav, Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan, CPI leader Annie Raja, transparency activist Anjali Bhardwaj, RTI activist Nikhil Dey, and TMC MPs Sagarika Ghose and Mahua Moitra.

Separately, six students associated with the All India Students' Association (AISA) continued their own hunger strike at a different stage at Jantar Mantar.

The demands and the government's response remain under discussion, with both sides emphasizing the need for accountability and resolution of the issues raised by the protesters.