Live: Sonam Wangchuk vows to survive until July 20 amid ongoing Jantar Mantar fast

Congress leader and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja stated on Friday (July 17, 2026) that Sonam Wangchuk's 19-day hunger fast gives voice to the deep unease felt by crores of students and young people across the country — unease rooted in successive paper leaks, structural weaknesses in the examination system, and the absence of any meaningful accountability. Selja argued that the chain of paper leak incidents, combined with what she described as the government's failure to take firm action against those responsible, has steadily hollowed out students' trust in the examination machinery. She stressed that guaranteeing a just and transparent testing process is a core obligation of the government, since the faith that young people place in institutions forms an essential foundation of any functioning democracy. — PTI

Congress leader Pawan Khera on Friday (July 17, 2026) made his way to Jantar Mantar to meet activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a hunger strike demanding that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan step down from his post. Troubled by the deteriorating condition of Wangchuk's health, Khera appealed to him to bring the fast to a close. After the meeting, Khera took to X to assert that peaceful agitation is a right enshrined in the Constitution of a democracy, and that when citizens resort to fasting in order to be acknowledged, it is the government's obligation to engage with them — not to look the other way. He described this as the true meaning of Raj Dharma. "In a democracy, peaceful protest is a constitutional right. When citizens undertake a fast to be heard, the duty of the government is to listen -- not look away. That is Raj Dharma," Khera wrote. — ANI

Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentarian Sanjay Raut voiced serious alarm on Friday (July 17) over the declining physical condition of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who continues his prolonged hunger strike. Addressing reporters in Nagpur, he urged the High Court to take note of the matter and called for accountability in the NEET paper leak case, demanding the resignation of the minister concerned. Raut said Wangchuk's fast had now stretched to 20 days and his health had become gravely precarious, with doctors warning of possible organ failure. He questioned whether these alarming health updates were making it to the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, or President Droupadi Murmu, and directly accused the government of adopting an "insensitive" posture toward the unfolding crisis. -ANI

The Delhi High Court has consented to hear on Monday, July 20, 2026, a public interest litigation challenging the alleged unrelenting and invasive monitoring of Cockroach Janta Party protesters at Jantar Mantar by the police. The plea was filed by Aishe Ghosh, a former president of the JNU Students' Union. The petition contests the Delhi Police's installation of a permanent surveillance tower at the protest ground and the organised, systematic capturing of demonstrators through photographs and video footage. The senior counsel for the petitioner noted that police personnel were roaming the demonstration site equipped with mobile phones and cameras, arguing that this conduct was steadily eroding the resolve of the students gathered at the protest. Counsel further contended that the manner in which the police were operating amounted to a flagrant infringement of the fundamental right to privacy constitutionally guaranteed to the protesters. -THB

The Sikkim University Students’ Association (SUSA) has come forward in support of educationalist and climate crusader Sonam Wangchuk, who is staging an open-ended hunger strike at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar against suspected anomalies in public exams. On Friday (July 17), Mr. Wangchuk declared his firm determination to "stay alive until July 20 at any cost," even though his ongoing protest marked its 20th day and medical professionals warned that his health has reached a highly precarious condition. In an official statement released on Thursday, SUSA expressed deep apprehension regarding Mr. Wangchuk’s declining physical state. The student body noted that his non-violent agitation has transformed into a massive campaign pushing for openness and responsibility in competitive tests.

Filmmaker Kiran Rao posted an image of Wangchuk on her Instagram account on Thursday, featuring the words "I support Sonam". She expressed how painful it is to observe the absolute lack of response despite his continuing hunger strike. Rao stated that she stands firmly with Sonam Wangchuk, Abhijeet Dipke, the CJP, and every citizen across generations advocating for student rights. She extended her deep respect to Sonam ji, Neha, Maneesh, Ameen, and others who have resorted to fasting to ensure justice. She added that the country owes them a debt of gratitude for waking people up from their indifference and showing that every individual's voice matters. She remarked that watching the absolute silence from authorities even after 19 days of the strike is deeply troubling. She questioned what else would compel the ruling dispensation to pay attention to the citizens, calling the silence both shocking and merciless.

Renowned Hindi film actor Aamir Khan clarified that his famous role in "3 Idiots" was not inspired by Sonam Wangchuk, dismissing the rumor as a misunderstanding, while also sharing his worries about the activist's ongoing protest. According to the actor, neither he nor the creative team behind the movie were aware of Mr. Wangchuk's existence when they were filming. He mentioned that the speculation is untrue and merely a false belief, as he had no knowledge of Mr. Sonam during the production of "3 Idiots". He emphasized that neither he nor the screenplay writers, Raju and Abhijat, knew him then. However, he praised the activist's endeavors, stating that Wangchuk's efforts deserve respect regardless of whether a cinematic character was modeled after him. The superstar ended his statement by appealing to Mr. Wangchuk to call off his fast, noting that everyone is deeply anxious about his well-being and hopes he recovers soon.

Opposition politicians in Maharashtra have rallied behind environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, appealing to him to halt his unlimited hunger strike while hitting out at the central government for ignoring him and failing to solve the paper leak crisis. Targeting the federal administration for avoiding accountability in frequent exam paper leaks, NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil requested the 59-year-old activist to conclude his fast. The ex-state minister referred to the Ladakh-based campaigner as a precious national resource, arguing that he shouldn't have to jeopardize his life because the authorities are evading their responsibilities.

On Friday (July 17), Congress leader Pawan Khera visited campaigner Sonam Wangchuk and fellow demonstrators from the Cockroach Janta Party at Jantar Mantar to express his support for their protest against alleged examination leaks. Previously, the Congress party had requested Mr. Wangchuk to call off his indefinite hunger strike, citing serious concerns over his physical well-being.

On Friday (July 20), climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk declared his firm intent to "stay alive until July 20 at any cost" as his continuous hunger strike reached its 20th day. This comes as medical professionals cautioned that his health is in a critical state. Speaking to his followers at the demonstration venue, Mr. Wangchuk admitted that his physical strength is declining but emphasized that his determination is as strong as ever. "I am weak from the outside but very strong inside. I am sure all of you are strong from the inside, and outside too. We need this energy for July 20, when we will take out a peaceful march to Parliament. We will go together and present our plea in the temple of democracy," he said. The activist remains determined to push through with his strike until July 20, rally his supporters for the march, and brave any medical risks.

As his hunger strike neared a highly critical point on Thursday (July 16, 2026), backing for Sonam Wangchuk expanded significantly. The protest venue at Jantar Mantar experienced a huge surge in supporters, particularly after former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited the site. Dimple Yadav, Samajwadi Party Member of Parliament representing Mainpuri, also met with Mr. Wangchuk, calling upon the central government to demonstrate empathy toward the movement. Additionally, Bollywood actor Sonakshi Sinha uploaded an Instagram video supporting him, questioning for whom he is risking his life, stating it is for the future of children and those who have passed away, and adding that she is not "anti-national." A diverse group of campaigners, politicians, and film figures have come together to back Sonam Wangchuk's demonstration as anxiety over his medical state grows.

Various rulings and directives from the Supreme Court emphasize that the state has a paternal protective responsibility to safeguard the life of an individual on a hunger strike, without infringing upon their right to express dissent. In spite of this, the government has maintained complete silence regarding campaigner Sonam Wangchuk's continuous fast at Jantar Mantar for 19 days. This silence persists despite the Delhi High Court's urgent observation on July 16 that the "life of any citizen is precious." Judicial precedents from the apex court confirm that governments must safeguard lives during hunger strikes while simultaneously honoring the fundamental right to protest.

As environmental campaigner Sonam Wangchuk's physical state declines due to his open-ended fast at Jantar Mantar, the Delhi High Court has directed both the central and Delhi administrations to conduct frequent checks on his well-being. Previously, the High Court specified that Mr. Wangchuk must undergo routine health evaluations conducted by state medical practitioners. During the court proceedings, a bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia questioned Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta about existing arrangements to track his medical condition. Mr. Mehta clarified that the activist is being examined on a daily basis. The Delhi High Court has made health checks mandatory for Mr. Wangchuk as his physical condition declines on the 19th day of his fast.

Due to the deteriorating medical state of activist Sonam Wangchuk on the 19th day of his non-stop fast at Jantar Mantar, the Delhi High Court instructed the Union and Delhi authorities to establish consistent health monitoring. Medical experts cautioned on Thursday (July 16, 2026) that Mr. Wangchuk's vital parameters have reached a highly critical phase. Satish Lamba, the physician tracking his condition, revealed that while the activist is still mentally sharp, his weight has dropped by more than 9 kg. Later that night, Dr. Lamba warned that Wangchuk's body was breaking down muscle tissues, and his vital organs could soon face deterioration. The High Court has ordered regular health tracking for Mr. Wangchuk as his physical state worsens on the 19th day of his agitation.

Medical professionals cautioned on Thursday (July 16, 2026) that Sonam Wangchuk's physical state has become critical due to his extended fast, warning that the subsequent phase could lead to severe organ damage, even as multiple groups called on him to end the strike. A medical update released by Dr. Satish Lamba indicated that Mr. Wangchuk has shed over nine kilograms since he embarked on his fast on June 28, bringing his current weight down to 56.9 kg.