Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk Continues Hunger Strike Amid Health Concerns

Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent climate activist, is on the seventh day of his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, facing serious health issues as he demands the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The Cockroach People's Party has raised alarms about his deteriorating condition, emphasizing the need for accountability in the education sector. With mounting pressure on the government, Wangchuk remains resolute in his protest until significant action is taken. This situation highlights the ongoing concerns regarding examination irregularities and the broader implications for students across the nation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 4, 2026, 13:01 IST

Sonam Wangchuk's Ongoing Protest

On Saturday, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk marked the seventh day of his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. The Cockroach People's Party (CJP) has expressed concerns over his deteriorating health, noting that he has lost five kilograms since beginning the fast. They have reiterated their demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing alleged irregularities in examinations, including issues related to major national entrance tests.

Concerns Raised by CJP Founder

Abhijit Dipke, the founder of CJP, took to X to highlight Wangchuk's worsening condition and questioned why the minister has not been removed from his position. He stated that Wangchuk's health is declining daily and asked how long Prime Minister Modi would wait to dismiss Pradhan, especially after the deaths of 20 students.

Government Accountability Demanded

In another post, Dipke warned that if anything were to happen to Wangchuk during the protests, the government would be held responsible. He emphasized that if the government does not act swiftly against Pradhan, they would be accountable for any consequences affecting Wangchuk. Despite his declining health, Wangchuk has made it clear that he will not end his hunger strike until action is taken.

Wangchuk Acknowledges Progress in Talks

Dipke also shared a satirical cartoon depicting a man attempting to eat exam papers while two cockroaches intervene, captioned "Dharmendra Pradhan, go back." Late Friday, Wangchuk acknowledged the progress made in discussions between central and Ladakh representatives regarding regional demands and urged the government to focus on accountability in education.