Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike enters 19th day at Jantar Mantar

Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar entered its 19th day on Thursday, as public figures continue to urge him to end the protest over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy. The 59-year-old remains defiant, insisting on dialogue with the Narendra Modi government.

Why Sonam Wangchuk’s fast has gained national attention

The protest, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), emerged from widespread anger over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, which led to the cancellation of the exam taken by over 22 lakh students. A retest on June 21 and subsequent reports of student suicides intensified criticism of the government’s handling of the crisis.

Wangchuk, who joined the CJP protest on June 6, has since become its most visible face. His hunger strike has drawn crowds to Jantar Mantar, with many visitors expressing solidarity with his demands for accountability in the education system.

Conditions at the protest site

Delhi’s sweltering heat and humidity have made the protest conditions grueling. A reporter who spent a night at the site described the area as stifling, with no fans or air conditioning. Wangchuk, surviving on water and electrolytes, has endured these conditions without food for nearly three weeks.

Around 10 other protesters, including Bahadhur Singh from Aligarh and Deepak Yadav from Lucknow, are also on indefinite hunger strikes. Their efforts, however, have received less attention than Wangchuk’s.

Calls to end the fast and next steps

Politicians, actors, and public figures have appealed to Wangchuk to break his fast, but he has refused, instead urging supporters to join a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20. The Delhi High Court has also issued notices to the Centre and Delhi government on a PIL seeking urgent medical aid for the activist.

Despite the physical toll, Wangchuk’s fast has already achieved a key objective: forcing a national conversation about exam accountability and the distress of students. Whether he ends his protest or not, the movement’s momentum appears likely to continue.