Sonam Wangchuk urges citizens to lead their own change, as hunger strike enters 14th day
Climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk has urged citizens to stop looking for heroes and instead take responsibility for their own lives, as he continued his indefinite hunger strike over alleged examination irregularities.
Speaking on the 13th day of his fast, Wangchuk said in a video posted on Friday that he was feeling less energetic but remained committed to the cause. He has lost 7.5 kg since beginning the fast, and his blood pressure was recorded at 106/74 mm Hg, according to a health update.
Wangchuk rejected comparisons to Mahatma Gandhi, saying he is 'just an ordinary citizen' who has tried to fulfil his responsibilities. 'Please don't look for a hero in someone else. Be the hero of your own life. Fulfil your responsibilities as a citizen,' he said.
The protest, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), entered its 22nd day on Saturday at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The CJP is demanding the resignation of the examination board chief and compensation of ₹1 crore for families of students who allegedly died by suicide due to examination irregularities.
Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and has been on an indefinite hunger strike since then. He appealed to people to join a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session, to urge MPs to take up the issue.
'If one of those students had been your sister or daughter, you would have joined us. But don't wait for that. If you can't come here every day, join us at least for one day,' he said.
Wangchuk also asserted that any attempt to remove him from the protest site would violate his constitutional right to peaceful protest, adding that he was continuing the fast for accountability and for an early resolution of issues concerning Ladakh.
