Activist and education reformist Sonam Wangchuk has entered the 20th day of his hunger strike in New Delhi, rejecting appeals from doctors, family members, and opposition leaders to break his fast. The engineer turned educationist, whose life inspired a character in the film 3 Idiots, has vowed to continue his protest until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns over the NEET paper leak scandal.

Wangchuk began fasting on June 28 at Jantar Mantar, the traditional protest site near Parliament, in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a Gen Z led movement founded by Abhijeet Dipke. The group has been demanding accountability after leaked exam papers affected millions of students preparing for national entrance tests.

Why Wangchuk Is Fasting

The protest is rooted in growing public anger over exam integrity in India's education system. Students, parents, and coaching institutes have criticised the government's handling of repeated leaks, arguing that the failures point to systemic negligence rather than isolated incidents.

Key demands from the CJP and Wangchuk include:

  • Immediate resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
  • A time bound, independent probe into the NEET paper leak.
  • Structural reforms to prevent future leaks in national examinations.
  • Accountability for officials responsible for exam security lapses.

Health Concerns Take Center Stage

Doctors Sound the Alarm

Medical professionals monitoring Wangchuk have flagged serious concerns about his deteriorating condition. Dr Satish Lamba, part of the team attending to him, confirmed that Wangchuk's weight has continued to drop steadily, with warnings that prolonged fasting at this stage carries a real risk of organ failure.

Despite this, Wangchuk has stated his intention to remain at the protest site through July 20, when the CJP plans a large march to Parliament. A young supporter who joined the hunger strike reportedly fainted earlier in the week and was hospitalised, adding urgency to calls for the protest to end.

Political Reactions and Opposition Support

The hunger strike has drawn a steady stream of opposition leaders to Jantar Mantar. Visitors extending solidarity include AAP's Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi Party's Dimple Yadav and Ruchi Veera, and Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare. Several of these leaders have publicly urged Wangchuk to prioritise his health, even as they back his core demand.

The protest has become a rare point of unified visibility for opposition parties against the Modi government, now in its twelfth year in power. Observers note that the movement's youth led character, combined with Wangchuk's public credibility, has amplified pressure that the ruling establishment cannot easily dismiss.

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Sonam Wangchuk continues his 20-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, demanding education reforms and accountability over the NEET paper leak.

The Road Ahead: July 20 March to Parliament

What CJP Is Planning

The CJP has called for a peaceful mass march to Parliament on July 20, positioning it as the next major flashpoint in the standoff. Wangchuk has specifically asked supporters to join the march rather than pressure him to end his fast, saying collective action would carry more weight than his individual protest.

Farmer groups have also extended support to the movement, signalling that the protest's base may be widening beyond students and urban activists.

Government's Silence

As of now, the central government has not issued a formal response to the resignation demand. Officials close to the ministry have avoided commenting on Wangchuk's health or the planned march, a silence that critics say reflects reluctance to be seen negotiating under pressure.

Whether the government responds before or after July 20 could determine how the standoff evolves, particularly if Wangchuk's condition worsens further in the coming days.