NEW DELHI: On Tuesday, numerous leaders from the opposition party made a heartfelt appeal to renowned educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, urging him to conclude his indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Their concerns were primarily centered around his deteriorating health, coinciding with their continued support for the protests surrounding alleged irregularities in NEET and other examinations. As reported by the organisers, Wangchuk has experienced a loss of 8.2 kilograms since he began fasting.
Prominent figures in the opposition, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, pressed Wangchuk to end his fast, emphasizing that his life should not be jeopardized in an effort to make an impact on the BJP-led government. “We humbly request and earnestly appeal to Shri Sonam Wangchuk ji to break his fast. His life is invaluable to the entire world as it embodies the same commitment to humanity and the environment as it does to democracy,” Yadav wrote on X. He did not hesitate to criticize the BJP, stating, “The BJP government, which he is attempting to awaken through his fast unto death, is itself a principle-less and corrupt system. In its insensitivity and heartlessness, the sacrifice of anyone holds no significance; therefore, expecting any sense of propriety or change of heart from BJP members is utterly futile.”
Echoing a similar sentiment, Arvind Kejriwal, the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party, also called on Wangchuk to terminate his hunger strike, while affirming the party’s support for the ongoing protest. During a press conference, the former Delhi chief minister remarked that he would pay a visit to Jantar Mantar on Thursday evening. “Sonam Wangchuk is on hunger strike for some days and his health is deteriorating. He is an asset of the country, and I appeal to him to end his hunger strike. There are other ways to continue the struggle,” Kejriwal stated.
Furthermore, Kejriwal noted that the AAP stands in solidarity with the demands of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), calling for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and advocating for essential reforms in the examination system to combat issues like paper leaks.
On Monday, former Delhi chief minister Atishi visited Wangchuk at the protest site, demonstrating solidarity with his cause. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra also joined in urging Wangchuk to call off his fast, stating that he had already achieved a significant milestone by uniting the youth across the nation. “Sonam Sir, your fast has united this country’s youth in their war for justice. Your goal is reached. The government doesn’t care about your life or that of crores of youth. But your life matters to us. Please call off your fast and continue the fight,” she shared on X.
The appeals to Wangchuk came just a day after prominent citizens, including writer Arundhati Roy, actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, and economist Jayati Ghosh, urged him and other protesters to end their fast while continuing to support their demands for Pradhan’s resignation. According to organisers, Wangchuk’s hunger strike commenced on June 28, and the ongoing CJP protest at Jantar Mantar, which began on June 20, is specifically demanding Pradhan’s resignation due to alleged irregularities in NEET and other examinations. In a show of solidarity, the CJP has scheduled a march to Parliament on July 20.
