Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 4: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk completed the seventh day of his indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Saturday, as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) claimed his health was deteriorating rapidly after he reportedly lost five kilograms during the protest.

The CJP has intensified its demand for the resignation of Union Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging that the government has failed to take responsibility for irregularities in multiple competitive examinations.

Taking to social media platform X, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke expressed concern over Wangchuk's condition, stating that his health had worsened with every passing day. He questioned why the Prime Minister had not yet removed the Education Minister despite growing public criticism.

Dipke also alleged that the Centre would be accountable if Wangchuk's condition became critical, asserting that the activist had made it clear he would continue his fast until action was taken against Pradhan.

In another post, Dipke shared a satirical cartoon targeting the Education Minister, featuring a man attempting to consume papers marked "Exam Paper" while being restrained by two cockroaches. The illustration carried the slogan, "Go back Dharmendra Pradhan."

Late on Friday, Wangchuk posted on X welcoming the latest progress in discussions between the Centre and representatives from Ladakh regarding the region's long-pending demands. While appreciating the government's efforts on the Ladakh issue, he urged it to now address concerns surrounding accountability in the education sector.

His remarks followed a breakthrough in talks between the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) with the Ministry of Home Affairs. Representatives of both organisations said differences over the minutes of an earlier meeting had been resolved, clearing the way for the next round of formal negotiations on Ladakh's proposed governance framework.

Leaders of both LAB and KDA also credited Wangchuk's ongoing hunger strike with helping revive dialogue between Ladakh's representatives and the Centre after months of deadlock.

At a separate protest site within Jantar Mantar, six members of the All India Students' Association (AISA) continued their own hunger strike, which entered its 15th day on Saturday. Their demonstration has attracted support from several opposition leaders, activists and members of civil society.

Among those backing the protest are CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby, senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, CPI general secretary D. Raja, CPI(ML) Liberation leader Dipankar Bhattacharya, social activist Yogendra Yadav, Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan, CPI leader Annie Raja, transparency campaigner Anjali Bhardwaj, RTI activist Nikhil Dey, and Trinamool Congress MPs Sagarika Ghose and Mahua Moitra.

The CJP launched its protest on June 20, demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in several competitive examinations, including the NEET medical entrance examination.