As his indefinite fast at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar entered the 20th day on Friday and elicited no response from the Narendra Modi-led Union government, award-winning social activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk said he wanted to “stay alive by any means” so that he could lead a march to Parliament on Monday, July 20.
Wangchuk has been sitting on the fast in support of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)’s ongoing protest demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over a series of examination paper leaks and the growing number of student suicides linked to them.
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Despite the mainstream media’s lukewarm coverage of the Ramon Magsaysay Award-winning Ladakhi activist’s fast, which has caused him to lose nine kilograms body weight, the event has gathered massive support for him on social media. According to many, he has emerged as the face of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).
While the BJP-led central government has avoided engaging with the protesters and making any effort to persuade Wangchuk to end his strike, several voices within BJP have dismissed his fast and CJP’s agitation as “anti-national”, drawing increasing criticism from across the country.
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“I will stay alive by any means until July 20 so that I can march to Parliament with all of you. And if our march does not succeed on July 20, then I will come back as a ghost,” Wangchuk told supporters while addressing protesters at Jantar Mantar on Friday.
CJP, whose protest at Jantar Mantar entered its 28th day on Friday, had earlier announced its plan for the July 20 “Sansad Chalo” or Parliament march. The event is going to be its next major step to heighten its demand for the Union minister’s resignation.
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On Thursday, as Wangchuk’s health deteriorated, Delhi High Court directed the Narendra Modi government to ensure the activist’s health is medically examined every day by government doctors and necessary medical intervention is provided if his condition worsens. The HC’s directions came in response to a public interest litigation (PIL). The HC said every possible effort must be made to safeguard the activist’s life.
Growing concern over Wangchuk’s health has drawn support from political leaders across party lines. Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited the activist at Jantar Mantar, while Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav expressed solidarity with his cause.
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Adding his voice to the mounting appeals, senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP from Congress, Kapil Sibal, who is a former Union minister, urged Wangchuk to end his indefinite fast, saying the country would continue to need him for the many battles that lie ahead. While acknowledging the moral force of Wangchuk’s protest, Sibal appealed to him to preserve his life and strength, arguing that his leadership would remain essential in the larger fight for justice and accountability. 