I'm not in good shape: Sonam Wangchuk enters day 19 of indefinite hunger strike
“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
“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. Read Full Story 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. I’m Not in good shape but not so bad either... Rather than asking me to break my fast please join me on 20th July... Peaceful March to the Parliament.#cockroachjanataparty 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. POLITICAL LEADERS URGE WANGCHUK TO END HUNGER STRIKE The protest has also drawn political support, with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday made an emotional appeal to Wangchuk to end his fast, saying it had already "awakened the conscience of the nation" and that the fight for students' issues should now move to Parliament. "To Shri Sonam Wangchuk-ji, my heartfelt appeal: please end your fast. You have awakened the conscience of the nation; that is what a fast is meant to do. India needs your voice for the long road ahead," Tharoor wrote in an open letter. Earlier, on Tuesday, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal also urged Wangchuk to end his fast, while actor Zeenat Aman appealed to the government to initiate dialogue. Gujarat chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela and actor Swara Bhaskar also visited the protest site at Jantar Mantar to express solidarity.
The BriefWire