Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk entered his 25th day of hunger strike on Wednesday, 22 July, as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) wrote to him appealing for an end to his fast — while pledging that the agitation demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak would press on regardless. The letter underscores the growing concern over Wangchuk's deteriorating health even as student-led protests show no sign of abating.

CJP's Appeal to Wangchuk

In its letter to the Ladakh-based activist, the CJP said: 'With great respect and gratitude, we request you to please end your fast. Your sacrifice has inspired thousands of students across the country. On July 20, young people travelled from different states to stand with you and this movement. You have shown that this fight is bigger than any one person and that students deserve justice. But right now, we need you to take care of your health.'

The party assured Wangchuk that his stepping back from the fast would not signal the end of the movement. 'We promise that this struggle will not end with your fast. We will continue the protests and take this fight forward until our demands for examination justice are met,' the letter stated.

CJP Founder Speaks Out

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke shared a video on his official X account echoing the appeal. 'Today is the 25th day of Sonam sir's hunger strike. Being 25 days without food has put his life in danger. I don't want anything bad to happen to him, so I request Sonam sir to end his fast,' Dipke said.

Dipke was unequivocal that the protest would outlast the hunger strike. 'I assure that even after Sonam sir ends his hunger strike, we will continue this protest till Dharmendra Pradhan resigns as the Union Education Minister,' he said. He also called on demonstrators to remain peaceful, warning that those raising objectionable slogans or threatening anyone 'can never be a part of this movement.' Dipke invoked the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar as the guiding principles of the agitation.

Wangchuk's Condition for Ending the Fast

In a parallel development, Wangchuk wrote separately to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Minister of State Jitendra Singh, stating he would end his fast if the Union government provided assurances that no action would be taken against protesters — a reference to the 'Chalo Sansad' march held on 20 July, in which students from multiple states converged on New Delhi in solidarity.

This comes amid sustained public pressure on the Centre over the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak controversy, which has drawn widespread criticism from students, opposition parties, and civil society. Notably, this is the second major agitation in recent years in which Wangchuk — who first rose to national prominence through his campaigns for Ladakh's constitutional status — has used an extended hunger strike as a tool of protest.

What Happens Next

The government has yet to respond formally to either Wangchuk's letter or the CJP's demands. With the activist's health reportedly at risk after 25 days without food, the coming hours are likely to be decisive — both for his well-being and for the trajectory of the student movement. All eyes are now on whether the Centre will offer any assurance to facilitate an end to the fast without conceding on the core demand of Pradhan's resignation.