Climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk has firmly ruled out ending his indefinite hunger strike despite deteriorating health, growing political appeals and even court petitions seeking directions to make him eat. Now on Day 19 of his fast at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, Wangchuk says breaking the protest without any government response would send entirely the wrong message. He has lost over 9 kilograms and doctors have warned that he may be approaching a potentially alarming third stage involving organ damage. Instead of backing down, he is now urging students and supporters to join a Chalo Sansad march on July 20, the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session. Here is a full update on everything that has happened.
Why Is Sonam Wangchuk Refusing To Break His Fast?Â
In a video message shared on X on Day 19 of his hunger strike, Wangchuk addressed the thousands of people who have written to him asking him to stop fasting. He said ending the protest now without any government response would signal that governments do not need to be held accountable. “If I eat, what message will go? The message to the government will be that there is no need for accountability. Protesters sit and leave…” he said. “I have received thousands of messages asking me to break my fast. Many senior politicians have come to me and spoken to me with love and concern.” Some have even approached the court seeking directions to make me eat, he said.
“My condition is not such that I will die in two four days. The test results are quite normal for an 18 day fast. Yes, I am weak and my muscles are wasting away, but my heart and core are still functioning well,” he said, adding that he could continue the fast for several more days. Wangchuk urged supporters instead to strengthen the Cockroach Janta Party’s proposed “Chalo Sansad” march on July 20, coinciding with the start of Parliament’s Monsoon Session. He appealed to students from schools, colleges and universities to participate, describing it as “a real lesson in political science and democracy.” He appealed to people to register for the march through the campaign’s website or missed call initiative. “Come in thousands on July 20. Together, we will hand over this issue to the Parliament. Then I will believe that it has gone into the right hands,” Wangchuk said.
I’m Not in good shape but not so bad either…
Rather than asking me to break my fast please join me on 20th July… Peaceful March to the Parliament.#cockroachjanataparty #jantarmantar #cjpprotest #chalosansad pic.twitter.com/QZ6VyxVMAR— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) July 15, 2026
What Is Sonam Wangchuk’s Health Condition Right Now?
Doctors say Sonam Wangchuk’s health is stable for now, but they are worried about the risks if his hunger strike continues. Dr Satish Lamba, who is monitoring him, said Wangchuk has lost more than 9 kg since starting his fast and now weighs 56.9 kg. His blood sugar, pulse and blood pressure are currently within acceptable limits, and he is well-hydrated and mentally alert.
However, doctors said his body has entered the second stage of prolonged fasting, where muscles begin to break down, leading to higher uric acid levels. They warned that if the fast continues, it could enter a third stage, where vital organs may be affected. Despite this, Wangchuk said he is not in immediate danger. He said he feels weak and has lost muscle, but his heart and other vital organs are functioning normally.
Which Political Leaders And Public Figures Have Appealed To Wangchuk And Extended Support?
Many political leaders and public figures have supported the protest while also asking Wangchuk to end his hunger strike. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said Wangchuk has already raised public awareness and should now let the issue be discussed in Parliament. Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, Uddhav Thackeray and Arvind Kejriwal have also appealed to him to end the fast. Kejriwal is expected to visit the protest site, and security has been increased around Jantar Mantar.
Actor Zeenat Aman urged the government to hold talks with the protesters. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela and actor Swara Bhaskar also visited the protest site to show their support. More than 1,800 artists, writers, academics and social activists, including Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Arundhati Roy, Jean Drèze, Jayati Ghosh, Nivedita Menon and Anuradha Chenoy, have backed the protesters’ demands. However, they too have requested Wangchuk to end his hunger strike and take care of his health.
