NEW DELHI: Activist Sonam Wangchuk will call off his indefinite hunger strike if political leaders meet him at the Safdarjung Hospital and assure him that the issue of education accountability will be raised during the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning Monday, his wife Gitanjali Angmo said on Sunday.
Addressing protesters at the Jantar Mantar, where the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has been spearheading a movement against the alleged NEET paper leak, seeking education reforms, Angmo said Wangchuk has conveyed that he would end his fast provided there is a commitment from political parties to take up the issue in Parliament.
“If political leaders meet Sonam at the hospital and assure him that they will raise the issue of education accountability during the Monsoon Session, he will end his hunger strike tomorrow,” Angmo said.
She also conveyed Wangchuk’s appeal to the supporters of the movement ahead of the CJP’s proposed ‘Chalo Sansad’ march on Monday, urging them to maintain peace and discipline.
“Sonam has requested all of us to take out tomorrow’s march peacefully and ensure that the protest is not misused,” Angmo said.
On concerns over Wangchuk’s health, she said the activist is stable.
“Sonam’s health is perfectly fine. I tried my best in the high court to have him shifted to a private hospital, but I could not succeed,” she said.
On Saturday, Delhi Police forcefully admitted Wangchuk to the Safdarjung Hospital after three weeks of fasting at the CJP protest site at Jantar Mantar.
Angmo and the CJP have said that Wangchuk is continuing his fast at the hospital, refusing to receive any drip.
The CJP and Wangchuk have been demanding accountability over the alleged NEET paper leak, action against those responsible, and broader reforms in the education system.
Monday’s proposed march to Parliament coincides with the opening day of the Monsoon Session, which will continue till August 13.
On Sunday evening, Jantar Mantar transformed into a packed protest camp with a massive influx of supporters, a day ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s “Chalo Sansad” march, with founder Abhijeet Dipke calling for a night-long vigil.
Crowds continued to pour into the CJP’s protest site at Jantar Mantar through the day as preparations gathered pace for Monday’s march to Parliament.
CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das claimed that nearly 20,000 people were “at and around Jantar Mantar” even before the scheduled mobilisation.
In a post on X, Das said, “20,000 people are at and around Jantar Mantar. And it’s not even July 20 yet. Dharmendra Pradhan — your day of reckoning is here.” The protest also drew support from several political leaders and public figures.
Actors Shabana Azmi and Prakash Raj visited Jantar Mantar during the day, joining Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat and AAP leader Manish Sisodia in expressing solidarity with the agitation.
CJP members shared photographs and videos on social media showing the protest site packed with supporters, claiming people from different parts of the country had begun arriving for Monday’s mobilisation.
Addressing supporters through a video message, Dipke urged them to remain at Jantar Mantar through the night, saying their presence was essential to ensure the Parliament march proceeded peacefully.
“Our protest is going on. Please come here in large numbers. Stay here for the night. If you don’t come, they will try to end the protest,” he said.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has also issued a set of guidelines urging protesters to maintain peace and discipline during the demonstration.
The party asked participants to carry only the Tricolour, copies of the Constitution, or photographs of Dr BR Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh, while raising only positive slogans. It also urged supporters to record the protest and ensure it remains peaceful and non-violent.
Protesters have also been advised to eat before joining the march, carry caps or dupattas to protect themselves from the heat, avoid travelling alone wherever possible, report any untoward incidents, and ensure the national flag is handled in accordance with the Flag Code.
Hospital says Wangchuk stable
Activist Sonam Wangchuk was stable on Sunday but needed round-the-clock medical care and close monitoring due to the physiological stress and systemic effects of his prolonged hunger strike, Safdarjung Hospital authorities said.
A health bulletin issued by VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital said Wangchuk’s vital parameters were stable and his blood parameters had shown marginal improvement.
A multidisciplinary team of experts from Safdarjung Hospital and Delhi AIIMS is supervising his treatment, it said.
“Sonam Wangchuk is receiving the required medical care at VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital. His vital parameters are stable. While his blood parameters have shown minor improvement, it requires close monitoring.
“The treating teams of doctors from VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS, New Delhi, are of the considered opinion that sustained medical intervention and round-the-clock clinical monitoring remain essential to promptly detect and manage any potential complications.
“Accordingly, all necessary medical care is being provided, and his clinical condition is being closely monitored,” a health bulletin issued by Safdarjung Hospital at 7 pm said.
Despite days of fasting, Wangchuk remains alert, Charu Bamba, Medical Superintendent, VMMC and Safdarjung Superspeciality Hospital, told reporters in the morning.
“As you know, he has been admitted with us since yesterday morning. Like yesterday, he is fully alert, conscious and oriented. His vital parameters, including blood pressure, pulse rate and oxygen saturation, are all normal,” she said.
Lamba, however, added that some of his blood (laboratory) parameters are slightly abnormal.
“They are just below or above the normal range, and we are carrying out further investigations. Our team is providing him with continuous treatment,” she said.
“Since he is weak and is still on a fast, he requires constant monitoring and further evaluation,” she added.
PTI/Agencies