Sonam Wangchuk's Health Stable Amid Hunger Strike; Calls for NEET Accountability, Ladakh Rights

Activist Sonam Wangchuk remains in stable condition at Safdarjung Hospital, two days after being forcibly shifted there by Delhi Police following 21 days of an indefinite hunger strike. While his vital parameters are steady, doctors are closely monitoring his blood work, which shows signs of physiological stress from prolonged fasting, even as he reportedly continues to refuse intravenous fluids and other medical interventions. Wangchuk's protest demands accountability for alleged irregularities in the national NEET examination and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, reigniting crucial national conversations. Wangchuk's current fast, which began on June 28, is a dual-pronged movement, amplifying the widespread public anger over reported NEET paper leaks and the long-standing demands for Ladakh protection under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The former issue has fueled the 'Cockroach Janta Party' (CJP) protests, a youth-led movement for education reform, while the latter reflects a persistent call from regional groups like the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) for statehood and democratic representation since Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370. Just yesterday, Wangchuk outlined three conditions to end his hunger strike: government accountability for education system failures, assurance from political leaders to raise the paper leak issue in Parliament, and restoration of his freedom of movement and speech, claiming his hospitalisation amounts to 'illegal detention'. The Delhi High Court has since urged him to cooperate with doctors, as the CJP planned march to Parliament today was denied permission by Delhi Police. All eyes are now on the ongoing Monsoon Session and whether a dialogue can be forged to address the urgent issues he has raised.