Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, hospitalised at Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi after being removed from Jantar Mantar by Delhi Police on Saturday, declared in a handwritten note on Monday, 20 July that he would press on with his fast — now entering its 23rd day — until student protest leaders were permitted to meet Parliamentarians at Sansad Bhavan, or he himself was allowed to meet them at the hospital.

Wangchuk's Statement from Hospital

'I will continue my fast (Day 23),' Wangchuk wrote in a signed statement, released on social media platform X. He cited what he described as the 'brutality' with which peacefully protesting youth were being handled, and said he would not relent until the youth leaders secured access to lawmakers. He also expressed hope that the government would 'fix the Education Minister's accountability' before that point.

'I am touched and moved by how the youth have held on to peace despite provocation,' he wrote, appealing to the government and police to 'resolve the issue by simply allowing the students to present their grievances before Parliament today or tomorrow.' He added that he was confident the protesters would 'show the same patience and tolerance tomorrow as they did today.'

What the Protesters Are Demanding

The demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), have centred on two core demands: the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and urgent reforms to India's education system. The protests intensified following Wangchuk's forced hospitalisation, with CJP members staging a march toward the Parliament building on Monday. Police intervened to prevent students from entering the premises.

How the Movement Began

The agitation reportedly originated after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant allegedly compared unemployed young people taking up activism to 'cockroaches and parasites' — a remark that drew sharp public backlash. The movement gained further momentum after the NEET medical entrance examination was cancelled following a paper leak, and reports emerged of students dying by suicide in the aftermath.

Notably, what began as a response to a judicial remark has since broadened into a wider student movement demanding systemic accountability in education governance — a pattern seen in earlier campus-driven agitations across India.

Health Concerns and Public Response

Wangchuk's deteriorating health has drawn concern from supporters across the country. While many have praised his resolve, they have also urged authorities to engage constructively with the students' grievances rather than relying on police action. His hospitalisation has not dampened the protest; if anything, it appears to have galvanised the movement further.

What Happens Next

The immediate flashpoint is whether the government will allow student representatives to meet Parliamentarians — the single condition Wangchuk has set for ending his fast. With the protest showing no signs of abating and Wangchuk's health a growing concern, pressure on the administration to respond is likely to mount in the coming days.