The indefinite hunger strike led by social activist Sonam Wangchuk at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar has entered a critical phase, with growing concerns over his health as the agitation against alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks continues.

The protest, organised under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has now completed 25 days, while Wangchuk's fast entered its 17th day on Tuesday.

Wangchuk is among several protesters observing an indefinite fast. Student activists, including members of the All India Students Association (AISA), have also been on hunger strike for the same duration in support of the campaign demanding Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

One of the AISA activists, identified as Deepak, was hospitalised on Monday after suffering hypovolemic shock, an emergency caused by severe blood or fluid loss that can affect the heart. He was discharged from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on Tuesday.

According to a statement released by AISA, Deepak's heartbeat fluctuated while he was under observation, following which doctors conducted medical tests. His ECG was normal, and his pulse rate stabilised before discharge.

The organisation said its remaining activists on strike — national president Neha Bora, along with members Manish and Aameen — continued their indefinite fast at a separate stage at the Jantar Mantar protest site.

“For every one of ours you send to the hospital, our resolve to see Dharmendra Pradhan fall becomes stronger,” Neha Bora said.

The CJP launched the protest on June 20, with several student organisations, including AISA, joining the agitation from the outset. Wangchuk joined the movement on June 28 and has remained on an indefinite fast since then alongside AISA activists, who are affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist)-Liberation.

Since the campaign was projected as an apolitical movement against the Narendra Modi government, the student organisation has been conducting its protest from a separate stage.

The Cockroach Janta Party has said that Sonam Wangchuk has refused to end his indefinite hunger strike despite suffering muscle loss and “immense pain”, insisting that the government should initiate dialogue.

According to the health bulletin issued by the outfit, Wangchuk has lost 8.5 kg of weight since beginning the fast, and his blood pressure was recorded at 109/70 mm Hg.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said Wangchuk has been losing muscle mass now.

“Like everyone else, I begged him to end his fast. He calmly replied, 'Don't ask me to end my fast. Ask the government why they won't even have a dialogue',” Dipke said in a post on X.

The protest has also drawn support from opposition leaders. Dipke said Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal contacted him to enquire about Wangchuk's health and expressed concern over his condition.

“At a time like this, every voice that stands for dialogue and democracy matters. I sincerely thank Arvind sir for extending his support to CJP's protest and to our March to Parliament on July 20,” he said.

Dipke also said Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray had spoken to him and voiced concern over Wangchuk's deteriorating health.

Thackeray appealed to Wangchuk to end his hunger strike, saying his well-being was of utmost importance, and extended support to the CJP's proposed march to Parliament on July 20, Dipke said. He also stated on Monday that he would urge Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to visit the protest site.

The protesters have been demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide over examination irregularities in NEET (UG) 2026 and other competitive exams.

As the Monsoon Session of Parliament approaches, the organisers are stepping up preparations for their proposed 'Chalo Sansad' march on July 20 and have launched a missed-call campaign to mobilise supporters for the demonstration.