Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike continues, loses over 9 kg
Education reform and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk remained steadfast in his resolve to continue his hunger strike, which entered its 20th day on Friday, despite concerns over his deteriorating health.
Wangchuk, along with supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), are camped at the capital's historic grounds of Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, over alleged exam irregularities.
According to the PTI news agency, citing the doctor overseeing Wangchuk, the activist has lost more than nine kilograms (nearly 20 pounds) since beginning his fast on June 28.
Wangchuk has refused to end his fast, saying doing so would send a message to the government that they don't have to be accountable to the people.
Meanwhile, solidarity came from across the political divide as both former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Congress party expressed their support for Wangchuk.
Kejriwal on Thursday joined demonstrators and called for Pradhan's resignation.
in a post on X, the opposition Congress party leader KC Venugopal appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast, while saying the party "share the anguish and outrage" over the "lack of accountability" within the Modi government and "for the collapse of the examination system in particular."
