New Delhi — On the sixteenth day of the ongoing protest by former civil‑service officer Sonam Wangchuk against the Central Judicial Police (CJP) scheme, the activist announced a six‑kilogram weight loss as his fast entered its eighth consecutive day. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which earlier pledged support to the CJP agitation, said it will dispatch a delegation to Jantar Mantar on July 7 to press the government for a resolution.
Wangchuk, who began his hunger strike on June 22, told reporters that he had lost six kilograms since the start of the fast and that his health remained “stable” under medical supervision. He reiterated his demand that the government withdraw the CJP arrangement, which he says threatens judicial independence and civil‑service autonomy.
The SKM, a coalition of farmer and peasant groups, confirmed its intention to send representatives to the protest site on July 7. The coalition’s statement said the delegation will “highlight the concerns of the farming community and demand immediate government action on the CJP issue.”
The protest, now in its third week, has drawn participation from a range of civil‑society actors, but officials have not announced any official response to the demands.
Analysis:
Wangchuk’s reported six‑kilogram weight loss underscores the physical toll of an extended fast, a tactic that has historically drawn public attention in India’s protest landscape. The escalation to an eighth day of fasting suggests a deliberate intensification aimed at increasing pressure on the government. The SKM’s scheduled delegation signals a broadening of the protest’s coalition, linking farmer grievances with concerns over the CJP scheme. If the delegation gains media traction, it could amplify calls for governmental review, especially as the protest coincides with other sectoral agitations in the capital. However, without an official response, the protest’s impact remains largely symbolic, relying on public sympathy and media coverage to influence policy.
Sources:
– The Hindu, “Day 16 of CJP protest: Sonam Wangchuk loses six kg as fast enters eighth day,” https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/day-16-of-cjp-protest-sonam-wangchuk-loses-six-kg-as-fast-enters-eighth-day/article71185567.ece
Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
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