Indian engineer, education reform advocate and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has vowed to continue his indefinite hunger strike despite mounting concerns over his deteriorating health, saying he is determined to see his protest through.
The 59-year-old has been fasting for 16 days at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, one of India’s best-known protest sites, in support of a campaign demanding greater accountability and reforms in the country’s education system.
Speaking to the BBC, Wangchuk admitted he was physically weakened but remained mentally determined. “I’m weak from the outside, but I’m strong from inside,” he said.
According to the latest medical update released on Monday, Wangchuk has lost 8.2kg, while his blood pressure has fallen to 107/70 and his blood sugar level has dropped to 67, raising serious concerns among doctors and supporters.
The protest was organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an online satirical movement calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after a major medical entrance examination was cancelled in May following a question paper leak.
The protesters argue that Pradhan should take moral responsibility for the incident, but the minister has rejected the calls, dismissing the movement and its supporters as disruptive elements that do not believe in India’s progress.
Wangchuk, who joined the protest on 29 June, said he was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violent resistance and believes a hunger strike is the most powerful way to awaken the government’s conscience.
Widely known as “Sonam Sir”, Wangchuk is one of Ladakh’s most respected public figures. He gained international recognition for creating the Ice Stupa, an artificial glacier designed to store winter water for use by farmers during the dry season. His work earned him the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018 and also inspired the lead character in the hit Bollywood film Three Idiots.
Last year, Wangchuk was arrested over allegations that he incited protests, accusations he denied. He spent 170 days in prison before authorities eventually dropped the charges and released him.
Despite scorching temperatures reaching 38°C, with the heat index climbing to around 46°C, hundreds of students, activists and supporters have continued gathering at Jantar Mantar to stand in solidarity with Wangchuk and the education reform movement.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said doctors have repeatedly advised Wangchuk to end his fast because of the serious risks to his health. He revealed that Wangchuk is now experiencing severe dizziness and struggles to walk even short distances, including trips to the bathroom.
Dipke also said he has received thousands of messages from concerned members of the public urging him to persuade Wangchuk to stop fasting. However, Wangchuk remains resolute, insisting he will continue until the government addresses accountability within India’s education system.
Supporters at the protest site have echoed calls for Wangchuk to prioritise his health. Many said his continued leadership is essential if the campaign is to succeed in the long term.
Since the hunger strike began, lawmakers from several opposition parties, activists and social media influencers have visited the protest site. However, organisers claim no representative from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has met them or initiated dialogue.
With no response from the government so far, organisers have announced plans to march to the Indian Parliament on 20 July, the opening day of the next parliamentary session, in an effort to press their demands directly before lawmakers.
