'Don't ask me to end my fast, join July 20 March instead': Sonam Wangchuk

New Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk has refused to end his indefinite hunger strike despite appeals from political leaders, supporters and even legal interventions, urging people instead to join the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) proposed "Chalo Sansad" march on July 20.

"'If I eat, what message will go? The message to the government will be that there is no need for accountability. Protesters sit and leave...'" Wangchuk said, arguing that ending his fast without any response from the government would undermine the protest.

In a video message released late Wednesday, the 18th day of his hunger strike, Wangchuk said he had received widespread appeals to call off the fast.

"I have received thousands of messages asking me to break my fast. Many senior politicians have come to me and spoken to me with love and concern," he said.

He added that some people had even approached the court seeking directions to make him end the fast.

Seeking to reassure supporters about his health, Wangchuk said medical examinations had not revealed any immediate danger.

"My condition is not such that I will die in two-four days. Many medical tests have been conducted, and the results are quite normal for an 18-day fast. An ECG was also done, and it is not bad. I can continue for many more days," he said.

"Yes, there is weakness, and my muscles are getting weak, but my heart and core are still fine," he added.

Instead of asking him to end the fast, Wangchuk urged supporters to participate in large numbers in the CJP's planned Parliament march on July 20, saying it would send a strong message to the government.

"I request all schools, colleges and universities to observe July 20 as a day of experiential education under the National Education Policy. Students will get to witness and participate in a real lesson in political science and democracy," he said.

He also appealed to people to register for the march through the campaign's website or missed-call initiative.

"Come in thousands on July 20. Together, we will hand over this issue to the Parliament. Then I will believe that it has gone into the right hands," Wangchuk said.

The Cockroach Janta Party has been protesting at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. The group has called for a "Chalo Sansad" march on July 20, the opening day of Parliament's Monsoon Session.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened in and around Jantar Mantar ahead of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's visit to meet Wangchuk on Thursday evening.

Police sources said additional personnel and paramilitary forces had been deployed at the protest site and surrounding areas as a precautionary measure.

Kejriwal has extended support to the CJP's agitation and backed its demand for Pradhan's resignation over the alleged examination irregularities.

Police, however, said the enhanced deployment was part of routine security arrangements.

"The deployment is a routine exercise. Security is regularly reviewed and strengthened depending on the gathering and law and order assessment," a police source said.