Sonam Wangchuk Loses Nearly 9 Kg In 19 Days: What Weeks Without Food Do To The Body

Published 16 July 2026 · local

Sonam Wangchuk Loses Nearly 9 Kg In 19 Days: What Weeks Without Food Do To The Body Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 11:21

Sonam Wangchuk Loses Nearly 9 Kg In 19 Days: What Weeks Without Food Do To The Body Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 11:21 IST Wangchuk is under 24-hour medical vigilance as his water-only hunger strike stretches into a third week. Rapid Read Wangchuk began fasting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on June 28 as part of a protest demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in examinations, including NEET. Environmental activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk has lost nearly 8.9 kg since beginning his indefinite hunger strike, with the latest medical bulletin describing him as “very weak" and under 24-hour medical vigilance. His weight has fallen to 57.15 kg, according to the bulletin issued by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The 59-year-old entered the 19th day of his water-only fast on Thursday. “I’m not in good shape but not so bad either," a frail-looking Wangchuk said in a video message posted on Wednesday night. Wangchuk began fasting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on June 28 as part of a protest demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in examinations, including NEET. Concerns over Wangchuk’s health also reached the Delhi High Court through a public interest litigation seeking his hospitalisation and medical treatment, including force-feeding if necessary. Disposing of the plea, the court on Thursday directed the authorities to clinically monitor his condition every day and provide whatever medical intervention is required. “Life of any citizen is precious and all efforts ought to be made by government authorities to save the same," the Bench observed. What Does The Rapid Weight Loss Mean For Wangchuk’s Body? Doctors say such rapid weight loss in less than three weeks is medically concerning because it is unlikely to reflect fat loss alone. “Losing 8 kg in just 18 days is a significant and medically concerning weight loss," internal medicine specialist Dr Suranjit Chatterjee told India Today.

When food intake stops, the body first uses glucose in the bloodstream and then glycogen stored in the liver and muscles. Once those reserves are depleted, it begins burning fat and producing ketones, which provide an alternative source of fuel for the brain and other organs. Neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar told Dainik Bhaskar that the brain begins using ketones after around three days of fasting, helping the body conserve muscle for some time. However, as starvation continues, the body also begins breaking down muscle proteins to produce energy and support essential organs. “At this stage, the weight being lost is no longer just fat but also valuable muscle mass. This indicates that the body is under severe metabolic stress, and prolonged muscle loss can weaken overall physical function and affect vital physiological processes. Such rapid weight loss is not normal and requires close medical monitoring," Dr Chatterjee said. The resulting loss of lean muscle can reduce strength and mobility, weaken immunity, slow recovery and place strain on the heart, which is itself a muscle. Can Hunger Fade Even As Weakness Grows? Hunger is often strongest during the first one or two days of fasting but may gradually subside as the body adapts to using ketones. “Once a person gets past the initial phase, the body adapts. Because of hormonal changes, appetite decreases," Dr Kumar told Dainik Bhaskar. A reduced appetite does not mean that the body has stopped deteriorating. “A person may not feel very hungry, but they are likely to feel increasingly weak. Activities such as walking, climbing stairs or any physical exertion become more difficult," he said. Dr Kumar added that the brain’s use of ketones may allow a person to remain conscious and make decisions, although concentration, attention and reaction time can gradually decline.