Government Cruel for Ignoring Wangchuk's Fast, Says Dipke as Activist Reaches Day 18

As environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk completes the 18th day of his indefinite hunger strike, the political atmosphere in New Delhi has turned increasingly tense. Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has leveled a sharp accusation, labeling the government's silence as "cruel" while Wangchuk's health shows alarming signs of deterioration under 24-hour medical vigilance.

A Critical Deterioration in Health

The medical reality on the ground is stark. According to the latest bulletin issued by the CJP on July 15, 2026, Wangchuk's condition has worsened significantly since he began his protest at Jantar Mantar. While he remains conscious and mentally alert, doctors emphasize that he requires continuous monitoring due to his fragile state.

The specific medical metrics paint a concerning picture of his physical decline:

• Weight Loss: His total weight has dropped by 8.9 kg since the start of the fast, with a recent single-day loss of 400 grams bringing his current weight to 57.15 kg.
• Vital Signs: His blood pressure recorded at 105/76, blood sugar at 80 mg/dL, and oxygen saturation at 97%.
• Hydration Status: Medical teams describe his hydration as "fair," but the overall trend indicates severe strain on his body.

This rapid decline has prompted the CJP to place the activist under round-the-clock medical supervision, ensuring that emergency care is immediately available should his condition collapse further.

Dipke's Condemnation of Government Inaction

The core of the CJP's argument rests on the refusal of the central leadership to engage with the protesters. Dipke did not hold back in his criticism, asserting that the government's lack of response is not merely an administrative oversight but an act of cruelty toward a man risking his life for justice.

"The government is not just unaccountable; it is also cruel," Dipke stated on X, referring to the platform formerly known as Twitter. He challenged the narrative that the protest is a political maneuver by the opposition, insisting that the focus should remain on the substantive issues at hand. According to Dipke, the questions that truly demand answers are:

• Why is Prime Minister Narendra Modi refusing to engage in a dialogue with the protesters?
• Why has Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan not been held accountable for alleged irregularities?
• Why are the authorities focusing on who is or isn't joining the fast rather than addressing the student suicides linked to the NEET examination issues?

Dipke emphasized that distractions about political affiliations only serve to shield those in power from the accountability demanded by the families of students who have died by suicide.

Escalating Political Solidarity and Public Support

The hunger strike has transcended the immediate protest site, drawing support from a wide spectrum of political leaders, celebrities, and civil society figures. The CJP has announced a one-day mass hunger strike scheduled for July 16 to demonstrate solidarity with Wangchuk and the students. Furthermore, the organization has renewed its call for a "Chalo Sansad" march on July 20, demanding a transparent examination system and the sacking of the Education Minister.

Support has poured in from across the political and cultural landscape:

• Political Leaders: Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, Uddhav Thackeray, and Arvind Kejriwal have all publicly appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast while urging the government to initiate dialogue.
• Celebrities: Veteran actor Zeenat Aman and actress Swara Bhaskar have voiced their support, with Bhaskar joining the protest physically at Jantar Mantar.
• Parliamentary Support: Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj and MLA Atul Pradhan have extended their backing, while Congress MP Shashi Tharoor specifically appealed for the government to talk.
• Public Mobilization: The CJP claims that over 1.3 lakh people have registered their support through a missed-call campaign in anticipation of the Parliament march.

Meanwhile, other activists from the All India Students' Association (AISA), including leaders Neha, Manish, and Aameen, continue their own fasts despite worsening health conditions, joined by prominent academics like Nivedita Menon and Radha Kumar.

Legal Scrutiny and a Marching Deadline

The situation has also drawn the attention of the judiciary. The Delhi High Court has formally asked both the Centre and the Delhi government to submit their responses regarding a plea filed over Wangchuk's deteriorating health. This legal pressure adds another layer of urgency to the standoff, as the court seeks clarity on the state's duty of care toward a citizen on a life-threatening hunger strike.

As the protest enters its 26th day overall, with Wangchuk on day 18, the clock is ticking toward the July 20 deadline. The CJP's strategy is clear: use the mounting public pressure and the visible physical toll on Wangchuk to force a conversation that the government has so far refused to initiate. The question now is whether the silence will break before the activist's health reaches a critical breaking point.