New Delhi

The Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar entered its 12th day on Wednesday, with activist Sonam Wangchuk continuing his hunger strike for the fourth day. While Wangchuk said he was in stable condition despite feeling fatigued, the All India Students' Association (AISA) expressed concern over the deteriorating health of students participating in an indefinite fast.

Providing an update on his condition, Wangchuk said doctors had advised him to increase his intake of water and salt after recording low blood pressure. He added that his blood sugar level stood at 66, which he attributed to three days without food.

"My sugar level is low at 66, but that's because I haven't eaten for three days. As ketosis begins, the body starts using stored fat for energy. During a prolonged fast, it may eventually consume muscles and organs, which can be life-threatening, but I am nowhere near that stage," Wangchuk said.

He said he had lost two kilograms since beginning the fast, adding that a daily weight loss of around 650 grams was considered normal.

Stating that his discomfort was insignificant compared to the sacrifices made by others, Wangchuk referred to the deaths of more than 20 students and five youths in Ladakh last September. He also thanked supporters for standing by the movement.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said that Inesh, a student who had been fasting for eight days before being shifted to hospital on Tuesday night after his condition worsened, was now recovering.

"Inesh is recovering well at the hospital. Our team remains in touch with him and is closely monitoring his condition," Dipke wrote on X.

Stepping up his criticism of the government, Dipke said the demand for accountability had emerged after repeated incidents, including alleged examination paper leaks and student suicides.

"What it takes today to seek accountability: countless paper leaks, millions of shattered dreams, more than 20 student suicides, and now a hunger strike by an educationist and young people," he said in another post, alleging that the country had never witnessed such an "arrogant" government.

Meanwhile, AISA said the health of students observing an indefinite fast had begun to deteriorate as their protest entered its fourth day.

In a statement, the student organisation claimed that JNUSU Joint Secretary Danish's blood sugar level had fallen to 61 mg/dL, with doctors warning that continuing the fast could have serious medical consequences.

AISA further alleged that two other students, Aameen and Deepak, had also been advised by doctors to discontinue the hunger strike. According to the organisation, Aameen's blood pressure had reached a critical level, while Deepak's blood sugar had dropped to 70.

The organisation reiterated its demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, accusing the Centre of ignoring students' concerns.

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The CJP launched its protest on June 20 over alleged irregularities in the examination system, including NEET. Dipke has said the agitation also seeks accountability on broader public issues, including electoral matters such as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.