Wangchuk’s Indefinite Fast Enters 20th Day; Political Support Grows Before Monsoon Session
Activist Sonam Wangchuk holds his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi ahead of the July 20 Parliament march. (Image CJP on X)
By AMIT KUMAR
Health concerns deepen as activist loses over 9 kg, opposition leaders visit Jantar Mantar, and focus shifts to the July 20 Parliament march coinciding with the Monsoon Session.
New Delhi, July 17, 2026 — The health parameters of activist Sonam Wangchul continue to deteriorate as his indefinite fast on Friday entered the 20th day. A day after former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met Wangchuk, Congress leader Pawan Kera also visited the protest venue at the Jantar Mantar.
The sudden move of the Ministry of Home Affairs to replace Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha with Anurag Kumar added a fresh spin to the ongoing protest. Activists believe that the Centre is now facing pressure as the crowd swells at the protest venue.
Observers claimed that Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah may have been peeved at Golcha for the handling of the protest. Incidentally, Delhi Police have largely been non-confrontationist with the protest of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).
The police tactically, per sources, had been off-hand with the protest with the strategy to not give fresh ammo to the protestors. Golcha’s ouster seems the first major morale booster for the CJP protestors.
Scores of known personalities visited the protest venue on Friday. Wangchuk has lost over 9 kg of weight. His blood pressure reading has also raised concerns. Political leaders from the non-BJP backgrounds have called upon Wangchuk to end his indefinite fast.
But Wangchuk seeks determined to stay put for the July 20 march to parliament. In video messages, he is giving calls to the people to join the march to parliament on July 20.
The Monsoon session of parliament begins from July 20. The CJP activists are hopeful that the parliament session will bring more spotlight on the ongoing protest. The CJP is holding the protest with the single agenda in seeking sacking of Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan.
With the Congress and the AAP associating with the CJP protest, the BJP is also likely to feel the pressure. But the BJP remains defiant in dismissing calls for a dialogue with the protestors.
Unlike the past protests such as farmers’ stir, the Central government has not yet shown any interest in talking to the CJP protestors. The BJP per sources believe that any hint of coming under pressure will add to the strength of the CJP, which could be harmful ahead of crucial Assembly elections next year.
Inside Sonam Wangchuk’s Protest: A Cause That Resonates but Fails to Mobilise India
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