India activist urged to end hunger strike as he risks organ failure

New Delhi — Calls are growing for an Indian education activist to end his 20-day hunger strike over fears for his safety. Sonam Wangchuk has survived on just salt water in the sweltering heat of India's capital for almost three weeks after joining a sit-in protest organized by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party to demand reforms in India's education system.

The protest, and Wangchuk's hunger strike, were sparked by the cancellation of a key entrance exam for aspiring doctors following the leak of an exam paper, affecting millions of students.

The 59-year-old activist has lost about 21 pounds, and doctors caring for him have warned that his condition has become critical, with the possibility of organ damage if he continues his strike.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the government to intervene and monitor Wangchuck's health regularly, and to administer treatment if it is deemed necessary.

The Cockroach Janata Party started as an online satirical movement in May — a tongue-in-cheek protest against remarks by the country's chief justice, Surya Kant, who was widely reported to have referred to India's unemployed youth as "cockroaches" and "parasites" during a court hearing

Last month, supporters of the CJP launched their first real-world protest with the ongoing sit-in outside the Jantar Mantar, a space observatory that is Delhi's sole designated protest site. Delhi Police have given permission to various groups to carry out demonstrations at the Jantar Mantar, but denied permits elsewhere arguing that it is necessary to restrict such gatherings to avoid road blockages and other inconveniences.

As of Friday, the government had not engaged with the protesters or responded to their demands for federal Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign, and for systemic changes in the country's education system, including transparency in the administration of national medical and engineering exams.

Wangchuk and Abhijeet Dipke, a Boston University student and the founder of the CJP who is leading the protest, have said they plan to march to the Indian parliament along with other protesters on July 20.

"I am weak from the outside but very strong inside … 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," Wangchuk, who began his fast on June 28, told fellow protesters Friday.

Political opposition leaders, Bollywood stars and other popular figures have spoken in support of Wangchuk but appealed to him to end his fast. He has refused to eat, however, saying to do so without any res