As per the latest medical bulletin issued by the Cockroach Janta Party, 59-year-old Wangchuk is “very weak” and under round-the-clock medical supervision, with his weight dropping to 57.15 kg, down 400 grams in the last 24 hours and nearly 8.9 kg since his fast began.
“I’m not in good shape but not so bad either.”
That’s what a frail-looking Sonam Wangchuk, who entered the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on Thursday, demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over irregularities in the NEET examination, said in a video message posted late last night.
According to the latest medical bulletin issued by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Wangchuk, 59, is “very weak” and under 24-hour medical vigilance. His weight has dropped to 57.15 kg, down 400 grams in the past 24 hours and nearly 8.9 kg since he began fasting.
His blood pressure was recorded at 105/76 mmHg, blood sugar at 80 mg/dL, oxygen saturation at 97%, while doctors said he remained conscious and mentally alert but requires continuous monitoring.
In the video message, Wangchuk also urged supporters not to ask him to end his fast but instead join the organisation’s planned “Chalo Sansad” march to Parliament on July 20. “Rather than asking me to break my fast, please join me on 20th July… Peaceful March to the Parliament,” he said.
Meanwhile, our reporter spent a night at the CJP protest site at Jantar Mantar, closely observing Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike and the protest from the ground.
Wangchuk is not alone in the protest. Several others, including members of student organisations, are also on hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. At a separate stage, All India Students’ Association (AISA) leaders Neha, Manish and Aameen continued their fast despite their worsening health. AISA said that Neha has lost 5.85 kg during the fast, while Manish and Aameen have lost 8.2 kg and 8.3 kg, respectively, with all three recording low blood sugar levels.
The student outfit also said JNUSU joint secretary Danish, JNU Barak Hostel president Hrishikesh and Delhi University student leader Deepak have been hospitalised after their health deteriorated during the protest.