“Today is the 16th day of his hunger strike and his blood sugar level and blood pressure have dropped and whenever he tries to sit or stand, he feels very dizzy,” Dipke told the BBC.
“He’s finding it difficult to even walk to the washroom. He’s really struggling. He’s in a lot of pain but whenever I try to tell him to end his hunger strike, he scolds me and says that ‘don’t you worry about me’.”
Dipke said doctors have told Wangchuk that it is not appropriate for him to continue, because there is serious concerns regarding his health. He added that he had also been receiving thousands of messages daily, requesting him to persuade Wangchuk to call off his fast.
“But he is still very determined to carry on. He’s said to me that he won’t stop until the government fixes accountability in the education system.”
At Jantar Mantar too, voices are growing louder for him to call off his fast, with many of those present telling the BBC that they were worried over Wangchuk’s deteriorating condition.
Among those who have come to see “Sonam sir” is Animesh Sahu, a 29-year-old engineer from Hyderabad.
“I’ve grown up watching his videos and I have an emotional connect with him. I’m feeling very concerned about his heath. The government must pay attention to him,” Sahu said.
A farmer, Satyaprakash Bharadwaj, described Wangchuk as “a diamond” who is “willing to sacrifice his life” for the younger generation. “I’m praying that he will call off his hunger strike. He can fight for our children only when he’s strong,” he said.
Educationist Prof Nandita Narain, says “it’s very sad that someone like Wangchuk, who has made such outstanding contribution to public life has to resort to a hunger strike to get the government to act”.
She said she would also appeal to Wangchuk to end his fast because “his life is in danger”.
“We have a battle to fight which will go on for much longer. We need a sustained protest and the movement has to be sustained. It’s important that he lives to fight the battle,” she said.