'I am still alive': Indian activist on hunger strike for 26 days loses 11kg

What the report says

BBC World News reports that Indian activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk has continued a 26-day hunger strike in support of the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in Delhi, saying he has lost 11kg but is “still alive.” Wangchuk, widely known as “Sonam sir,” has become a central figure at the Jantar Mantar protest, which is demanding education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

According to the BBC, Wangchuk was removed from the protest site on Saturday and taken to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he remains on fast. The hospital said Wednesday that he was in the ICU, stable and being treated with his consent. Political leaders, including Health Minister JP Nadda, opposition MPs, activists and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke have urged him to stop fasting. Wangchuk said he would end the strike only if the government assured him there would be no force or retaliation against students.

The protest escalated after a CJP march to parliament on Monday, as the monsoon session opened. BBC reported that police used batons and tear gas, with at least 60 protesters and 118 police officers injured and 70 protesters arrested, most later released on bail. Demonstrators have maintained a sit-in despite heavy security, and central Delhi metro station closures have added to tensions.

The movement is focused on anger over repeated public exam leaks, including a recent medical entrance test, with students arguing Pradhan should accept moral responsibility. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not directly engaged protesters, but posted that fast-track courts would be set up to punish those involved in paper leaks.