New Delhi: As activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike entered its seventh day on Saturday, supporters warned that the government would be held responsible if his condition worsened without swift action against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. They said Wangchuk’s health was deteriorating and urged the authorities to intervene before the situation became more serious.
“It’s Day 7 of Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike. If the government doesn’t act fast and take action against Pradhan, it will be responsible if anything happens to Sonam Sir,” CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke wrote on X. He said the fast would continue until Pradhan was removed. “Despite his rapidly deteriorating health, he has made it clear that he will not end his hunger strike until action is taken,” Dipke added.
Protesters reported a visible decline in Wangchuk’s health. “Sonam Sir has lost 5 kg, and his health is deteriorating with each passing day,” Dipke posted, and questioned why the prime minister had not dismissed Pradhan.
“How much longer will the Prime Minister wait before sacking Dharmendra Pradhan? Why is Dharmendra Pradhan so important to PM Modi that, despite the deaths of 20 students, he still refuses to remove him?” he asked.
Witnesses at Jantar Mantar said Wangchuk looked “far weaker and more exhausted” than earlier in the week. “Today, for the first time, I could see the pain on his face as his health continues to deteriorate. He told us he is fine and that there is nothing to worry about, but the reality is different. His condition is worsening with every passing hour,” Dipke wrote.
There has been no official government response to Wangchuk’s appeal or his hunger strike, asreported by DNA. On July 3, Wangchuk thanked the government for steps on Ladakh, while urging greater accountability in education.
The Jantar Mantar protest demands Pradhan’s resignation over the alleged NEET 2026 paper leak and irregularities in the CBSE’s On-Screen Marking system. Demonstrators shouted, “Dharmendra Pradhan Istifa do (Dharmendra Pradhan step down)” and chanted, “We asked for ‘Make in India’, you gave us ‘Leak in India’.”
