With Sonam Wangchuk's health deteriorating by the day and the government maintaining its wall of silence, the Cockroach Janta Party has issued its most sweeping mobilisation call yet: a nationwide mass hunger strike on July 18, 2026 — a symbolic one-day fast in solidarity with Wangchuk, to be observed simultaneously by millions of CJP supporters across India and abroad.

The announcement was made by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke in a video address posted to the party's Instagram account, which has 21.9 million followers.

"Sonam ji has fasted for 23 days. He has lost 8 kilograms. His blood sugar has dropped to dangerous levels multiple times. And the government has not sent a single minister to speak with him," Dipke said, his expression grave. "I am asking every cockroach across India — and across the world — to fast for just one day. July 18. Do not eat. Do not drink anything except water. And think about the students whose futures were stolen."

Dipke paused before adding: "If one man can fast for 23 days in 42-degree heat for India's children, all of India can fast for one day. One day. Is that too much to ask?"

How the Strike Will Work

CJP has published detailed guidelines for the symbolic hunger strike on its website and social media channels.

Participants are asked to:

• Abstain from all food from sunrise to sunset on July 18
• Post on social media with the hashtag #MainBhiCockroach and #FastForStudents, tagging @cockroachjantaparty and naming the specific demand — Pradhan's resignation and a complete reform of the examination system
• Encourage at least five other people to participate
• If physically unable to fast (due to medical conditions, pregnancy, or age), observe a "social media fast" by dedicating the day entirely to sharing CJP's demands online

"We are not asking for hunger strikes from people who are unwell, or who are pregnant, or who are elderly," Dipke clarified. "We are asking for solidarity. Whatever form that takes for you — fast, post, march, tell your neighbours — do something on July 18."

The July 18 Hunger Strike CJP's nationwide symbolic hunger strike will be observed from sunrise to sunset on July 18, two days before the planned march to Parliament on July 20. Use hashtags #MainBhiCockroach and #FastForStudents.

The Medical Reality Behind the Call

CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das read out a medical update on Wangchuk's condition at a brief press interaction at the protest site.

"Wangchuk ji's current weight is [X] kg — a loss of 8.2 kilograms from his baseline. His blood glucose has dropped below 70 mg/dL on three separate occasions in the last five days. The medical team on-site has asked him to end his fast. He has refused."

Das looked directly at journalists: "You have covered this movement. You have come to Jantar Mantar and seen what is happening here. I want to ask you — and through you, the government — how much weight does a man have to lose before the government sends someone to talk to him? How low does his blood sugar have to go?"

"The nationwide hunger strike on July 18 is our answer to the government's silence. If they won't wake up for one man fasting, let us see if they wake up for ten million."

"Wangchuk Ji Asked Me Not to Be Emotional"

In a revealing moment during his video address, Dipke described a brief conversation with Wangchuk earlier in the day.

"I went to see him this morning. He is lying on his cot — he has less energy now, he speaks more slowly. I was upset. I told him that we have millions of people behind us and I didn't understand why the government won't just talk to him," Dipke said.

"He looked at me and said: 'Don't be emotional. Be strategic. The movement is bigger than me. Don't let them make this about my body. Keep the focus on the students.'"

Dipke's voice broke slightly. "That is the man this government is letting fast in the July heat. A man who, even in this condition, is thinking about the movement."

International Solidarity

The call for a hunger strike has found immediate resonance beyond India's borders.

CJP supporters in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and the Gulf states have already announced solidarity events for July 18, including candlelight vigils, group fasts, and online campaigns. Several diaspora groups have announced they will fast in front of Indian High Commissions and embassies.

An Indian student at the University of Cambridge, posting under the hashtag #MainBhiCockroach, wrote: "I am 8,000 kilometres from Jantar Mantar. On July 18, I will fast. Not because it will change anything by itself — but because silence is complicity."

The Countdown to July 20

The hunger strike is timed as a bridge to what CJP is calling its defining moment: the march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament on July 20.

"July 18 is for reflection. July 20 is for action," Dipke said. "Fast on the 18th. March on the 20th. Between now and then, let the government feel the weight of ten million cockroaches who have had enough."