As activist Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar entered its 10th day on Tuesday, attention shifted from the protest itself to Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke after videos of him eating bread pakodas, noodles and other snacks at the protest site went viral on social media. The clips sparked memes and criticism, with many questioning why Wangchuk was fasting while Dipke and other organisers continued to eat.
Some social media users also criticised Dipke for eating on the same stage where Wangchuk was observing his indefinite fast. In one widely circulated video from Sunday, Dipke was seen eating a kachori while seated beside Wangchuk. Responding to the criticism in an interaction with Delhi Tak, India Today Digital's sister platform, Dipke said the videos were being shared without context.
He maintained that the party's core team had deliberately stayed off the hunger strike to ensure the protest continued to function smoothly. Dipke also expressed concern over Wangchuk's deteriorating health, saying he had urged the activist to end the fast, but Wangchuk declined.
Wangchuk, whose hunger strike entered its 10th day on Tuesday, joined the CJP-led protest demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination paper leaks. The CJP, founded by Dipke in May, began as a satirical online movement following remarks by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant that allegedly compared some unemployed youths and activists to "cockroaches" and "parasites." The comments sparked outrage as they coincided with reports of a paper leak in the NEET-UG 2026 examination, taken by more than 22 lakh students.
Dipke, who was in Boston at the time, returned to India as the online campaign evolved into street protests. Shortly after arriving at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, he addressed thousands of protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar over alleged examination paper leaks, unemployment and demands for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Sonam Wangchuk also addressed the gathering.
The protest later entered a new phase with Wangchuk launching an indefinite hunger strike. However, several days into the fast, online attention shifted towards Dipke—not because of his speeches or protest strategy, but because of videos showing him eating at the protest venue.
Footage of Dipke consuming bread pakodas and noodles while Wangchuk continued his fast spread widely across social media platforms, prompting criticism from users who questioned why Wangchuk alone was observing the hunger strike.
Addressing the controversy in his interview with Delhi Tak, Dipke rejected the criticism.
"Childish attempt to divert attention"
Responding to questions about the viral bread pakoda video, Dipke described it as an effort to distract from the protest's central issues.
"I think this is a childish attempt to divert attention from the real issue," Dipke said.
According to him, the video was recorded before Wangchuk joined the protest and was being circulated without the proper context.
"That video is from before Sonam sir's hunger strike began. It has been clipped and circulated out of context. Sonam sir joined us eight or ten days later because he was in Europe for a climate summit. The video is from before he arrived," Dipke said.
He further explained that Wangchuk himself had decided that only he would undertake the indefinite fast while the core organising team remained responsible for managing the protest.
"Sonam sir himself told us that the core team should not go on hunger strike because someone has to manage the protest. If all of us go on a hunger strike, who will manage the thousands of people coming here? Who will deal with the police over every small issue? That is why the core team is not on hunger strike," Dipke said.
Meanwhile, the CJP claimed on Saturday that Wangchuk's health had been deteriorating rapidly.
According to a PTI report, Dipke said on Sunday, "Sonam Sir has lost 5 kg, and his health is deteriorating with each passing day. How much longer will the Prime Minister wait before sacking Dharmendra Pradhan?"
When asked why Wangchuk alone was fasting, Dipke said the Ladakh-based activist had previous experience with prolonged hunger strikes.
Dipke has previously stated that he suffers from migraines, making fasting difficult for him.
"I'm worried about Wangchuk's health"
Dipke also revealed that he had personally urged Wangchuk to reconsider continuing the fast because of his declining health.
"I've spoken to Sonam sir. I'm worried because his health is deteriorating. I even told him that there was no need for him to continue the hunger strike. We can continue the protest without it," he said.
However, Dipke said Wangchuk remained firm in his decision.
"But Sonam sir says that until action is taken against Dharmendra Pradhan, he will continue his fast. Our strategy is to remain at Jantar Mantar," he added.
Asked whether the protest would end if Dharmendra Pradhan was shifted out of the Education Ministry during a reported Union Cabinet reshuffle, Dipke said the demand was specifically for his removal as Education Minister.
"First, let him actually be removed. If he is removed from the Education Ministry, it won't be our victory. It will be the victory of the entire country and of all students. But first, remove him," Dipke said.
The CJP-led protest at Jantar Mantar has drawn participation from lakhs of students over recent weeks and has also received support from Opposition leaders, including AAP MP Sanjay Singh, TMC MP Mahua Moitra, and CPI(M) leaders M.A. Baby and Brinda Karat. However, while the Centre has permitted the protest at Jantar Mantar, it has not responded to the demands raised by the CJP or Wangchuk's appeals.
