Sonam Wangchuk's Hunger Strike at Jantar Mantar Demands Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's Resignation

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike on June 20 at Delhi's Jantar Mantar to protest alleged paper leaks and irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET medical entrance test. By the eighth day of the fast, doctors reported he had lost about six kilograms, with blood pressure at 112/70 mm Hg, heart rate 72 bpm, blood sugar 67 mg/dL and fair hydration.

The strike is part of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest that has now entered its 16th day, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The movement cites the deaths of students and the cancellation and retesting of NEET after a leak, and has attracted support from opposition leaders, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha delegation, and parents of affected candidates. Protesters continue parallel hunger strikes, while medical observers monitor Wangchuk’s condition and warn of the health risks of prolonged fasting.