CJP protest day 16: Sonam Wangchuk loses 6kg as hunger strike enters eighth day
New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) demonstration at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination discrepancies, entered its 16th day on Sunday. Concurrently, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike reached its eighth day, with medical checks revealing he has lost approximately six kilograms since starting his fast.
According to a medical bulletin released by doctors, Wangchuk's blood pressure was measured at 112/70 mm Hg while resting, his heart rate was at 72 beats per minute, and his blood sugar stood at 67 mg/dL. The report noted that while his hydration remains fair and he is mentally alert, his weight has decreased to 60.95 kg, marking a drop of around six kilograms over seven days.
The CJP has maintained its pressure for Pradhan's resignation, asserting that recurring examination irregularities and question paper leaks have devastated the lives of countless students and their families.
In a post on X, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke shared that the parents of NEET aspirant Riya Kumari Thapa, who the organisation claims died after her dreams were shattered by the alleged paper leak, visited the demonstration site on Sunday.
Dipke stated that Thapa's father, an Army veteran, joined the agitation to appeal that no other family should have to experience such a loss, urging the Central Government to ensure such failures are not repeated. In a subsequent post, the CJP expressed its firm solidarity with Thapa's parents in their grief and their struggle against a system they described as corrupt.
The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for medical college admissions, originally conducted on May 3, was cancelled following paper leak allegations. A re-test was subsequently held on June 21.
Meanwhile, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which previously pledged support to the CJP's campaign, is now set to send a delegation to Jantar Mantar on July 7. The farmers' organisation had originally indicated in a letter to the CJP that its representatives would visit the site this Sunday.
The SKM voiced its solidarity with the protesting youth, stating that every student deserves a transparent, fair and credible examination process, and that upholding this standard is the responsibility of the government.
In tandem, several members of the Left-affiliated All India Students' Association (AISA) continued their own indefinite hunger strike on an adjacent stage at the venue.
Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) joint secretary Danish Ali was hospitalised at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on Saturday after her blood sugar plunged to 46 mg/dL on her seventh day of fasting. Fellow protestors Neha, Manish, Hrishikesh, Deepak Kumar Verma and Aameen continue their indefinite fast at the venue.
The CJP’s protest commenced on June 20 in response to widespread concerns over the integrity of national examinations, gradually attracting backing from various political figures, activists, and civil-society groups.