Sonam Wangchuk's Hunger Strike Enters Day 9, Health Concerns Rise

Sonam Wangchuk continues protest (Abhijeet Dipke X)

Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar has entered day 9 on Monday, with supporters raising fresh concerns over his health. The latest update was shared by Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), who posted on X: "Day 9 of @Wangchuk66's hunger strike." The protest is demanding accountability in India's education system and action against Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

'Still alive, though not kicking'

A day earlier, marking Day 8 of the fast, Wangchuk posted a health update on X, writing: "Still alive" He said around 7,000 people gathered at Jantar Mantar throughout the day, with leaders from various social and political movements extending their support to the ongoing agitation. "Some 7,000 people gathered at Jantar Mantar today from morning to evening. Leaders of various social and political movements spoke in support," Wangchuk wrote.

'Trolls are my success-o-meter'

In the same post, Wangchuk suggested that the growing number of online critics reflected the impact of the movement. "A clear indication of how effective this movement is can be judged from the number of trolls in the comments below. Over the years I've seen that this number is directly proportional to the impact. I'll be so sad & dejected the day they go missing. Thank you, my success-o-meter, for your hard work," he wrote. The hunger strike has drawn support from opposition leaders, activists and members of civil society in recent days, with demonstrators continuing to gather at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with Wangchuk's demands. There has been no official response from the Union government to Wangchuk's latest remarks or to the continuing hunger strike.