NEW DELHI: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk‘s indefinite hunger strike entered its third day on Tuesday at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has been staging a protest since June 20, demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.According to the CJP, Wangchuk’s blood sugar level dropped to 66, below the normal range, on the third day of his fast.CJP claimed that if anything were to happen to Wangchuk during the hunger strike, “Dharmendra Pradhan will be directly responsible.”CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also alleged that Delhi Police used force against students participating in the protest.“Heartbreaking to see Delhi Police attacking innocent SSC students. You don’t have to follow orders that harm the future of our country. You wear the uniform for the nation, not for a party. Do what’s right and protect our youth,” Dipke said in a statement.On Monday, Dipke had alleged that Delhi Police denied permission to install a portable toilet for Wangchuk at the protest site. He further claimed that the public toilets at Jantar Mantar had no water supply, causing inconvenience to protesters.Hundreds of demonstrators, largely students and young people, gathered at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday to express solidarity with Wangchuk. Several farmer leaders also joined the protest, which began with a two-minute silence.The Cockroach Janata Party has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since June 20, seeking the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities. The agitation has attracted support from students, farmers and members of civil society, many of whom have participated in the demonstrations.
