Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday said he would "stay alive till July 20 at any cost" as his indefinite hunger strike in Delhi entered its 20th day, despite doctors warning that his health has reached a critical stage following the prolonged fast.
The 59-year-old activist, who is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak, also appealed to supporters to ensure a large turnout for the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) proposed march to Parliament on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session.
Addressing supporters, Wangchuk said, "I am weak from the outside but very strong inside. I am sure all of you are strong from the inside, and outside too. We need this energy for July 20, when we will take out a peaceful march to Parliament. We will go together and present our plea in the temple of democracy."
Reassuring those concerned about his health, he added, "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," he said in a lighter vein, drawing cheers from the gathering.
A day earlier, the medical team monitoring Wangchuk had cautioned that his condition had become critical because of the extended hunger strike.
Dr Satish Lamba, who has been examining Wangchuk regularly, said the activist has been steadily losing muscle mass and body fat, resulting in a weight loss of 9 kg.
The doctor warned that Wangchuk has survived solely on water for the past 20 days and that the fast could become life-threatening if it continues.
According to the medical assessment, the activist's body is likely consuming muscle tissue for energy, and vital organs could be affected next.
Despite the warning, Wangchuk has refused to end his fast, maintaining that calling it off without any response from the government would send the wrong message. He said the priority now should be ensuring the success of the July 20 march to Parliament.
The matter has also come before the Delhi High Court, which has directed the authorities to monitor Wangchuk's health on a daily basis and provide medical assistance if his condition worsens.
The CJP launched its protest on June 20, while Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and has remained on an indefinite hunger strike since then.
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