Guwahati: Climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk on Friday said he would “stay alive till July 20 at any cost” as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 20th day, despite doctors warning that his prolonged fast has reached a critical stage.
Addressing supporters at the protest site, Wangchuk acknowledged his deteriorating health but said his resolve remained firm. He urged people to ensure a large turnout for the Cockroach Janta Party‘s proposed march to Parliament on July 20, the day the Monsoon Session begins.
“I am weak from the outside but very strong inside. 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.
“I will stay alive till July 20 at any cost. If you don’t come and July 20 is not successful, I will come back as a ghost,” he added in a lighter vein.
Doctors attending to Wangchuk on Thursday warned that his condition had entered a critical stage because of the prolonged fast.
Satish Lamba, who has been examining Wangchuk regularly, said the activist had lost around 9 kg during the hunger strike and is surviving only on water.
According to the doctor, Wangchuk’s body has begun consuming muscle and fat reserves, and prolonged fasting could affect his organs if it continues.
Despite the warning, Wangchuk has refused to end the hunger strike, saying that calling it off without any response from the government would send the wrong message. He said the immediate focus should be on ensuring the success of the July 20 march.
The Delhi High Court is also scheduled to hear on Monday a public interest litigation challenging the alleged “intrusive surveillance” of Cockroach Janta Party protesters at Jantar Mantar. The petition, filed by former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union president Aishe Ghosh, questions the installation of a permanent surveillance tower and the alleged systematic photography and videography of protesters by the Delhi Police.
The High Court has also directed the authorities to monitor Wangchuk’s health on a daily basis and provide medical assistance if his condition deteriorates.
The Cockroach Janta Party launched its protest on June 20, while Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and has remained on an indefinite hunger strike since.