Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is now on day 20 of his indefinite hunger strike, has said that he may be able to end his fast under a condition.
Students and Cockroach Janta Party Members are set to march to the parliament on July 20, a day before the first session of the Monsoon Parliamentary session.
Wangchuk, who has been fasting to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, said the he may end his fast if the march is a success.
He commented on a message to supporters on site at the Jantar Mantar, including politicians, film stars and celebrities and online activists who have been pleading that he ends his fast.
In the message, Wangchuk said that he would "stay alive till July 20 at any cost"
Doctors have warned that his prolonged fast has reached a critical stage.
"I am weak from the outside but very strong inside. I am sure all of you are strong from the inside and outside too. We need this energy for July 20, when we will take out a peaceful march to Parliament. We will go together and present our plea in the temple of democracy," he said.
"I will stay alive till July 20 at any cost. If you don't come, and July 20 is not successful, I will come back as a ghost," he joked, drawing cheers from the gathering.
He also said that if the march was successful, he would be able to end his fast.
However, he did not clarify what the measure of success for the march would be.
In a video message, he said, “ Come in large numbers, no matter what. Bring your mothers because the love a mother has for her children is unmatched by anyone else. ”
“I want the mothers to lead this march. Let them take us to Parliament. I'll see you all on July 20. If it is successful, I can assure you that when the issue is in the right hands, I'll be able to sleep peacefully and break my fast,” he said.
The activist said that he found a middle path. He said that despite his body being weak, his condition is not serious enough to lead to death. “You are concerned about your life, what about the 20 who committed suicide. My life and my health are not that important, but respecting these messages, I have found a middle path for July 20, Live Hindustan reported him as saying.
Meanwhile, for the first time, the Congress Party arrived at the Jantar Mantar to extend support to the protest.
Congress leader Pawan Khera met Wangchuk on Friday morning. The party said that it stands with Wangchuk in his demand for the resignation of the Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
On Thursday, Dimple Yadav and Aravind Kejriwal showed their support on stage.
