SRINAGAR: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has announced that he will undertake a 42-day hunger strike if Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), or any other members of the movement are arrested ahead of a planned protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar today. Wangchuk also confirmed that he will travel from Ladakh to participate in the demonstration.
HOPE FOR THE BEST, PREPARE FOR THE WORST.
Let’s make this the most peaceful movement in India’s history.
Please be vigilant that no miscreants play mischief.
See you all in Delhi tomorrow…#CockroachJantaParty #CJP #SonamWangchuk pic.twitter.com/qJAwal2wIy— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) June 5, 2026
In a video message posted on X, Wangchuk said he was prepared to undertake an indefinite fast lasting six weeks if any arrests were made, adding that such a step would be taken reluctantly. He also called on supporters to consider how they would respond to such a development.
His remarks come ahead of Dipke’s return to India for the planned protest, which is seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in examinations, including NEET-UG, CUET, CBSE and SSC GD.
Wangchuk said his association with the movement had developed unexpectedly after he publicly described the Cockroach Janta Party as a creative expression of India’s younger generation.
He said he had grown closely connected with the group in a short period and described its members as simple, sincere, honest and patriotic young people.
Appealing for restraint ahead of the protest, Wangchuk urged supporters to ensure that the demonstration remains entirely peaceful and cautioned against any attempts to provoke unrest.
Earlier this week, the group announced that Wangchuk would join the June 6 protest if the Education Minister did not step down. Wangchuk also stated that any “self-respecting minister” should resign if developments had adversely affected the futures of millions of students.
