Goa, July 23 -- Activist Sonam Wangchuk has said he will continue his hunger strike despite spending 26 days without food, insisting that the government must first guarantee that no force or retaliatory action will be taken against students participating in the ongoing education reform protests.

Speaking from a hospital bed, Wangchuk said he had lost 11 kg during the fast but remained determined to continue unless the Centre offered a clear assurance protecting protesters. "I am still alive," he said in a video message, adding that his work remained important and that he wanted to end the fast only after such a commitment was made.

Wangchuk, who has become the face of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led movement, was shifted to Medanta ...