Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health is at a critical point as he is on his 19th consecutive day of hunger strike since he started. Doctors monitoring his condition have warned that he could soon suffer multi-organ complications if the fast continues, and his health is now in danger of becoming worse.
At a medical briefing at Jantar Mantar, Wangchuk's attending physician, Dr Satish Lamba, said the activist has lost more than 9 kilograms since the day he began his fast on June 28. His current weight is 56.9 kilograms and doctors are checking his condition all day.
"Today, on the 19th day of the hunger strike, his total weight loss exceeds 9 kilograms," Dr Lamba said.
Despite the heavy weight loss, Wangchuk's vital signs remain relatively stable for now. His blood sugar level is 80 mg/dL, his pulse rate is 72 beats per minute, and his blood pressure is 105/61 mmHg while lying down and 101/65 mmHg when sitting.
These numbers, however, were not indicative of the growing risks of prolonged starvation, doctors warned.
Doctors Warn of a More Dangerous Phase
Dr Lamba said Wangchuk is now entering the second stage of prolonged starvation in which the body starts breaking down muscle tissue after exhausting much of its energy reserves.
"The second stage involves elevated uric acid levels, meaning muscle breakdown and consumption, which has caused the rise in blood uric acid," he said.
The medical team said the next phase could be much more serious.
According to Dr Lamba, Wangchuk may soon enter a 'third stage of starvation' when chronic nutritional deprivation begins to affect vital organs such as the kidneys, liver and heart.
"We now have a potential third stage that could be alarming, involving organ involvement. We need to take a wait and watch approach. We are watching closely in every aspect of our lives all the time," he said.
Doctors say while Wangchuk remains mentally alert and well hydrated, the biochemical change in his body tells us that the risks are increasing each day.
Hunger Strike Over NEET Controversy
On June 28, Sonam Wangchuk joined the indefinite hunger strike in support of a protest organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an online satirical movement that is demanding changes in India's education system.
The protest is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following the paper leak controversy in NEET-UG 2026. This led to the cancellation of the original medical entrance examination and a nationwide re-test for more than 20 lakh students.
Wangchuk has attracted national attention and supporters have described the fast as a peaceful campaign to bring about accountability in public scrutiny.
Delhi High Court Seeks Government Response
As Wangchuk’s health continues to deteriorate, the matter has also reached the judiciary.
As soon as the Delhi High Court issued an urgent request for responses from the central government and Delhi government on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking urgent medical intervention.
The petition, filed by Rakesh Kumar Saini, asked the court to take immediate steps to save Wangchuk’s life, saying that his health had deteriorated so much because of the prolonged hunger strike.
The High Court mentioned during earlier proceedings that “life is precious” and directed authorities to keep up to date with medical care and intervene promptly if necessary.
With doctors warning that the coming days may be the most critical yet, Wangchuk remains under constant medical observation as the hunger strike enters a potentially dangerous phase.
