Bollywood blockbuster 3 Idiots’s real-life inspiration, engineer, education reformer and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk is on day 17 of his hunger strike in Delhi, with sources saying his health has deteriorated at a high pace.
Hunger strike over education reforms
The 59-year-old activist started his fast at the Jantar Mantar on June 28 in solidarity with Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an organisation run by the young generation.
The protest is calling for the resignation of India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after paper leaks that affected hundreds of thousands of students.
During the extended fast, Wangchuk’s condition has deteriorated, reports state.
Read more: What is the story of Cockroach Janta Party in India?
He has lost approximately 8.5 kg of weight and is under medical supervision, according to sources.
Yet, it seems Wangchuk is not backing down from the protest and is ready to keep his fast until the government addresses the demands of the protesters.
The demonstration has become a national event and is being seen as one of the few protests which are openly challenging the ruling government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The march to Parliament, which is to be held on July 20, is also being prepared.
The protest further escalated after another young hunger striker was said to have collapsed at the protest site on Monday and was rushed to the hospital.
In the meantime, several opposition leaders and public personalities have appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast due to his ill health.
Cockroach Janta Party, launched by 30-year-old Dipke, has quickly gained a huge following on the internet since its inception in May, mainly among younger Indians.
The Education Ministry has not made a public response to the protestors’ demands so far.
Wangchuk, a Ladakh-based innovator and engineer, is known across the world after his life was brought to the big screen in 2009’s blockbuster 3 Idiots.
A public voice for reform, he is well known for his work on sustainable education and climate advocacy as well as environmental conservation, and serves as one of India’s most powerful voices on these issues.
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