New Delhi | Updated: July 16, 2026
Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health has raised serious concern as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 19th day on Thursday.
According to doctors, Wangchuk has lost more than 9 kg since beginning his fast and has now entered a critical stage of prolonged fasting.
Doctors warned that if the fast continues, it could begin affecting his organs.
The health update came hours after Wangchuk released a video message late on Wednesday night, ruling out ending his fast despite appeals from political leaders and supporters.
He said ending the fast without any response from the government would send the wrong message.
Instead, Wangchuk urged people to strengthen the Cockroach Janta Party’s proposed Parliament march on July 20.
According to the latest medical bulletin issued by Dr Satish Lamba, Wangchuk’s blood sugar was recorded at 80 mg/dL and his pulse rate at 72 per minute.
His blood pressure was 105/61 mmHg while lying down and 101/65 mmHg while sitting.
Doctors said his hydration was fair and he remained mentally alert.
However, Dr Lamba warned that Wangchuk had entered a critical stage of prolonged fasting.
He said after the body exhausts glucose reserves, it starts consuming fat, and later begins using muscle tissue.
According to the doctor, Wangchuk’s ketone level had earlier reached 3-plus and later came down to 2-plus after hydration improved.
He added that Wangchuk’s uric acid level was high, indicating that muscles were being consumed.
Dr Lamba warned that the next stage could be alarming and organs could be affected.
He said Wangchuk was being kept under 24×7 medical vigilance and urged the government to intervene soon.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Thursday directed authorities to monitor Wangchuk’s health on a daily basis.
The court also ordered that medical intervention be provided whenever required.
The Bench observed that the life of every citizen is precious.
The Centre and the Delhi Government told the court that they had no objection to regular medical monitoring of Wangchuk’s health.
In his video message, Wangchuk tried to reassure supporters and said medical tests had not shown any immediate danger so far.
He said his ECG was not bad and that he could continue for more days, though he admitted that he was feeling weak and his muscles were getting weaker.
Wangchuk appealed to supporters not to focus only on asking him to end the fast, but to join the “Chalo Sansad” march on July 20 in large numbers.
He said students should treat the march as a real lesson in political science and democracy.
The CJP said around 1.5 lakh people had so far confirmed their participation in the proposed Parliament march.
Support for the agitation has continued to grow.
Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said he would visit Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar on Thursday evening.
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also scheduled to visit the protest site.
Music composer Vishal Dadlani, actor Sayaji Shinde and author Shobhaa De have also expressed concern over Wangchuk’s health and urged the government to engage in dialogue.
The Cockroach Janta Party has been protesting at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
The party has called for a Parliament march on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session.
