Sonam Wangchuk Vows to Fast Till July 20 Parliament March

"I am weak from the outside but very strong inside. I am sure all of you are strong from the inside, and outside too. We need this energy for July 20, when we will take out a peaceful march to Parliament. We will go together and present our plea in the temple of democracy," he said.

"I will stay alive till July 20 at any cost. If you don't come and July 20 is not successful, I will come back as a ghost," he added.

Leaders Raise Concern Over Wangchuk's Health

PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti likened the ruling Union government to British colonial rule, drawing parallels with activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike and the sacrifices of Indian freedom fighters against the British Raj. 

"The British may have left but the colonial mindset seems to endure. How else can one explain the indifference of a democratically elected government that remains so callous that it refuses to engage with the youth at Jantar Mantar the very generation that will shape India's future?" Mufti said.

Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah said he was worried about Sonam Wangchuk’s health and that he demanded that the Centre persuade the activist to end the fast and enter into a dialogue with protesting youths. 

Demand for Education Minister's Resignation

Wangchuk is currently undertaking an indefinite fast demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, citing concerns over irregularities in the education system.

The CJP protest at Jantar Mantar is in its 28th day and on July 20, a “Sansad Chalo” or Parliament march is scheduled, which is expected to be a massive mobilisation.

Addressing people at Jantar Mantar, Wangchuk asked his supporters to dedicate their energy to make the march a huge success. Wangchuk has said that he believes it would send the wrong message if he were to stop fasting without any response from the Narendra Modi government. He has repeatedly stressed his desire to enter into a dialogue with the government, even as he maintains his demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

Doctors Warn of Critical Health Risks

Doctors monitoring Wangchuk expressed that the activist’s health has reached a critical stage and continuing his fast could lead to severe health complications, including the risk of organ failure.

However, Wangchuk remains resolute and refuses to end the hunger strike without any official response from the government, stating that it would set the wrong precedent and emphasizing the need for efforts to make the upcoming July 20th march to Parliament a success. In addition, the Delhi High Court has intervened in the matter, directing authorities to monitor Wangchuk’s health on a daily basis and to provide necessary medical assistance if his condition deteriorates.