Jantar Mantar protest: 'Will stay alive till July 20 at any cost', says Sonam Wangchuk

Home News India Wangchuk has lost over 9 kg after starting hunger strike and his body is consuming muscles and his organs may be next, says doctor Updated - July 17, 2026 11:17 am IST Congress MP Pawan Khera visited Sonam Wanghchuk at Jantar Mantar. | Photo Credit: Congress Media Department With activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health condition worsening on the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, the Delhi High Court ordered the Union and Delhi governments to ensure regular monitoring of his health.Doctors warned on Thursday (July 16, 2026) that Mr. Wangchuk’s health condition had entered a critical stage. Satish Lamba, a doctor who has been examining Mr. Wangchuk regularly, said he has lost over 9 kg, but remains “mentally alert”. However, Dr. Lamba warned later in the evening that his body was likely consuming muscles and his organs may be next.Also read | Voices from Opposition, film industry rally in Wangchuk’s supportMr. Wangchuk, however, remained resolute saying calling off his fast without any response from the government would send a wrong message. Instead, he urged people to strengthen the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed Parliament march on July 20.Watch | From ice stupas to hunger strikes: The journey of Sonam WangchukThe Delhi High Court ordered that Mr. Wangchuk must be “regularly medically checked up by government doctors.” Mr. Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over issues concerning the country’s education system.Follow the live updates below:July 17, 2026 11:17 Maharashtra's Oppn politicians rally behind Wangchuk, urge him to end fast, flay CentreMaharashtra’s Opposition figures came out in support of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and urged him to end his indefinite fast as they slammed the Centre for not resolving issue of exam irregularities and failing to reach out to him.Accusing the Union government of failing to accept responsibility for repeated examination paper leaks, NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil urged Wangchuk (59) to end his indefinite hunger strike.Describing the Ladakh-based activist as “a national asset”, the former Maharashtra minister said he should not be forced to risk his life because of the government’s refusal to act responsibly.-PTIJuly 17, 2026 11:10 Congress' Pawan Khera meets Wangchuk, others at Jantar MantarCongress leader Pawan Khera on Friday (July 17) met activist Sonam Wangchuk and other members of the Cockroach Janta Party protesting at Jantar Mantar here over alleged paper leaks, and expressed solidarity with them.The Congress has already urged Mr. Wangchuk to end his hunger fast and said they were concerned about his health.The visit comes a day after former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav met Wangchuk and others at Jantar Mantar.-PTIJuly 17, 2026 10:41 'I will stay alive till July 20 at any cost': Wangchuk as fast enters Day 20 Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday (July 20) asserted that he would “stay alive till July 20 at any cost”, even as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 20th day amid a warning from doctors that his prolonged fast has reached a critical stage.Addressing supporters at the protest site, Mr. Wangchuk acknowledged his weakening physical condition but said his resolve remained unshaken.“I am weak from the outside but very strong inside. I am sure all of you are strong from the inside, and outside too. We need this energy for July 20, when we will take out a peaceful march to Parliament. We will go together and present our plea in the temple of democracy,” he said.“I will stay alive till July 20 at any cost. If you don’t come and July 20 is not successful, I will come back as a ghost,” he said in a lighter vein, drawing cheers from the gathering.-PTIJuly 17, 2026 10:20 Voices from Opposition, film industry rally in Wangchuk’s supportEven as his fast approached a critical stage on Thursday (July 16, 2026), Sonam Wangchuk’s predicament attracted more voices of support, with Jantar Mantar’s protest site seeing a massive increase in crowds as former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal came to the site. Dimple Yadav, Samajwadi Party MP from Mainpuri, also visited Mr. Wangchuk and urged the Union government to “show some sensitivity” to the protest. Actor Sonakshi Sinha posted a video on Instagram in support of Mr. Wangchuk. “Who is he doing this for?” she said. “It’s for our children’s future and those who lost their lives … I am no ‘anti-national’.”Here’s the full storyVoices from Opposition, film industry rally in Wangchuk’s supportActivists, politicians, and celebrities unite in support of Sonam Wangchuk's protest amid escalating concerns over his health.July 17, 2026 10:07 Supreme Court judgments say state has a duty to preserve life of person on indefinite fast without disrupting right to dissentMultiple Supreme Court judgments and orders highlight the state’s paternalistic duty of care to preserve the life of a person on a hunger strike without disrupting his right to dissent.Yet the government has responded to activist Sonam Wanghuk’s ongoing fasting at Jantar Mantar with silence for the past 19 days even as an alarmed Delhi High Court asserted on July 16 that the “life of any citizen is precious”.Read the analysis hereSupreme Court judgments say state has a duty to preserve life of person on indefinite fast without disrupting right to dissentSupreme Court rulings affirm the state's duty to protect lives during hunger strikes while respecting the right to dissent.July 17, 2026 10:05 Delhi High Court orders regular monitoringWith activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health condition worsening from his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, the Delhi High Court ordered the Union and Delhi governments to ensure regular monitoring of his health.Earlier, the Delhi High Court ordered that Mr. Wangchuk must be “regularly medically checked up by government doctors.” During the hearing, a Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia asked Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta whether any mechanism was in place to monitor Mr. Wangchuk’s health. Responding to the query, Mr. Mehta submitted that Mr. Wangchuk undergoes a daily health check-up.Read the full story belowAs Wangchuk’s health worsens, Delhi High Court orders regular monitoringDelhi High Court mandates health monitoring for activist Sonam Wangchuk as his condition deteriorates on day 19 of hunger strike.July 17, 2026 10:02 As Wangchuk’s health worsens, Delhi High Court orders regular monitoringWith activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health condition worsening on the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, the Delhi High Court ordered the Union and Delhi governments to ensure regular monitoring of his health.Doctors warned on Thursday (July 16, 2026) that Mr. Wangchuk’s health condition had entered a critical stage. Satish Lamba, a doctor who has been examining Mr. Wangchuk regularly, said he has lost over 9 kg, but remains “mentally alert”. However, Dr. Lamba warned later in the evening that his body was likely consuming muscles and his organs may be next.Read the story hereAs Wangchuk’s health worsens, Delhi High Court orders regular monitoringDelhi High Court mandates health monitoring for activist Sonam Wangchuk as his condition deteriorates on day 19 of hunger strike.July 17, 2026 10:02 Wangchuk’s health condition could be alarming warn doctorsActivist Sonam Wangchuk’s health condition has entered a critical stage due to his prolonged fast and the next phase could be alarming and his organs could get affected, doctors warned on Thursday (July 16, 2026) as appeals came in from several quarters to call off his hunger strike.According to the latest medical bulletin issued by Dr. Satish Lamba, Mr. Wangchuk has lost more than nine kg since beginning his hunger strike on June 28. He now weighs 56.9 kg.- PTI Published - July 17, 2026 09:50 am ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products