The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led protest at Jantar Mantar entered its 12th day on Wednesday, with activist Sonam Wangchuk continuing his hunger strike for the fourth consecutive day and student protesters reporting deteriorating health as the agitation gathered momentum.
Providing a health update, Wangchuk said he was stable but feeling slightly tired after three days without food. He said doctors had advised him to increase his intake of water and salt after recording low blood pressure.
"My sugar level is low at 66, but that's because of no food for three days. As ketosis takes over, the body starts consuming fats. In a prolonged fast, it may consume muscles and organs, resulting in death, but I'm nowhere near that," he said.
Wangchuk added that he had lost around two kilograms since beginning the fast, describing the weight loss as normal during prolonged fasting. He said his discomfort was insignificant compared to the sacrifices of students and youths whose deaths had prompted calls for greater accountability.
Students report health complications
Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said student protester Inesh, who was admitted to hospital after his condition deteriorated on Tuesday night following eight days of fasting, was recovering.
Also read: CJP protest enters 11th day, Wangchuk's health condition worsens
"Our team is in touch with him and monitoring the situation," Dipke said in a post on X.
The All India Students' Association (AISA) claimed the health of several students participating in the indefinite hunger strike had worsened. It said Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union Joint Secretary Danish recorded a blood sugar level of 61 mg/dL, while Aameen and Deepak had also been advised by doctors to discontinue the fast because of critical health indicators.
The CJP launched the agitation on June 20 over alleged irregularities in the examination system, including paper leaks and concerns surrounding the NEET examination.
Dipke renewed his criticism of the government, alleging that repeated examination paper leaks, student suicides and other issues had necessitated the protest. Besides education-related concerns, the agitation has also expanded to include demands for accountability on issues such as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
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