New Delhi: As Sonam Wangchuk’s fast entered the 20th day, the activist said on Friday he will continue his indefinite hunger strike till July 20 so that he could lead the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed march to Parliament. And if it fails to materialise, he will come back as a “ghost”.
“I will stay alive by any means until July 20 so that I can march to Parliament with all of you. And if our march doesn’t succeed on July 20, then I’ll come back as a ghost,” Wangchuk said while addressing protesters at Jantar Mantar.
CJP’s protest at Jantar Mantar is in its 28th day, while Wangchuk started his indefinite hunger strike eight days later, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the education system.
The ‘Sansad Chalo’, or Parliament march, on July 20 – opening day of the Monsoon session – is the CJP movement’s next major mobilisation plan.
Wangchuk, who has not paid heed to requests from several sections of the society to end his fast, urged his supporters to ensure a massive turnout on Monday.
“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,” Wangchuk said.
In a video message earlier this week, Wangchuk told people not to ask him to break his fast and, instead, join the Parliament march.
“Rather than asking me to break my fast, please join me on 20th July… peaceful march to the Parliament,” he had said.
According to Wangchuk, ending the fast without any response from the Central government will send the wrong message. He has repeatedly sought a dialogue with the Centre even as he continued to demand Pradhan’s resignation.
Thursday’s medical update showed Wangchuk’s weight has fallen to 56.65 kg, a drop of 9 kg since he began the hunger strike.
He remains conscious and mentally alert, but doctors have said he requires continuous medical monitoring.
Even the Delhi High Court has directed the Centre and Delhi government to monitor him daily and provide medical assistance if his condition worsens.
