NEW DELHI: Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday said he would “stay alive till July 20 at any cost” as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 20th day, even as doctors warned that his prolonged fast had reached a critical stage.Meanwhile, Wangchuk’s health condition showed signs of concern on the 20th day of his hunger strike. Dr Satish Lamba said his health parameters showed that his weight had dropped to 56.55 kg, a reduction of 350 grams over the previous 24 hours.“It is the 20th day of the hunger strike. As of 9:30 am on 17 July 2026, the key health parameters are as follows. The person’s weight is 56.55 kg, a reduction of 350 grams over the last 24 hours. Blood pressure is 108/68, blood sugar is 70 mg/dL, and the pulse rate is 72 per minute. Hydration is fair, with mild dehydration observed, ” Dr Satish Lamba said.Dr Lamba said that prolonged fasting causes changes in the body as it runs out of glucose, proteins and carbohydrates. He explained that the initial stage involves fat loss, followed by muscle loss and the formation of ketone bodies in urine.At the current stage, he said, organ involvement is possible, and the medical team was maintaining 24-hour vigilance and continuous monitoring.“As explained earlier, when the body does not receive glucose, protein and carbohydrates, changes occur. The initial stage involved fat loss, followed by muscle loss and the formation of ketone bodies in urine. Now, at this third stage, organ involvement is possible. The medical team is maintaining 24-hour vigilance and continuous monitoring, ” Dr Satish Lamba added.The Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar over alleged examination irregularities entered its 28th day, with Wangchuk urging people to participate in large numbers in the outfit’s proposed march to Parliament on July 20.Addressing supporters at the protest site, Wangchuk acknowledged that his physical condition was deteriorating but said his determination to continue the fight remained unchanged. “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,” he said. “I will stay alive till July 20 at any cost. If you don’t come and July 20 is not successful, I will come back as a ghost,” he said in a lighter vein, drawing cheers from the gathering.Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera on Friday met activist Sonam Wangchuk.Khera expressed concern over Wangchuk’s health and extended support for his demand for greater accountability and transparency in examinations.Khera, who was among the opposition leaders who met Wangchuk, criticised the government’s handling of protests and alleged that it was “insensitive” towards students’ concerns.“We are all concerned about Sonam Wangchuk’s health. We are dealing with a highly insensitive government that fails to understand the language of democratic protest. When facing such a government, the methods of protest must evolve… Risking one’s life against this government will not yield results,” Khera said.The CJP has been demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide amid the examination irregularities row. The outfit has announced a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20, coinciding with the first day of the Monsoon Session.The CJP’s protest began on June 20, while Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and has been on an indefinite hunger strike since then.(With agency inputs)
