Support for Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike has widened as actors, filmmakers and public figures voice concern over his health while backing his campaign over alleged NEET examination irregularities.
A growing number of Bollywood actors and filmmakers have expressed support for climate activist Sonam Wangchuk as he entered the 18th day of his hunger strike at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where he has been fasting since June 28 over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.
Wangchuk, an educator, launched the indefinite fast in collaboration with the satirical youth movement, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Despite severe muscle loss and mounting health concerns, he has continued the protest, refusing to end his fast. His campaign is directed at Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and has drawn support from politicians, public figures and celebrities calling for government action.
Among those extending support are Zeenat Aman, Swara Bhaskar, Abhay Deol, Anurag Kashyap, Omi Vaidya, Soni Razdan, Naseeruddin Shah, Prakash Raj and Chinmayi Sripaada.
Filmmaker and actor Anurag Kashyap voiced his solidarity by sharing several photographs of Wangchuk and posting a lengthy message on Instagram.
“There was a time when hunger strike had some meaning. People don’t go on hunger strike just like that. It’s really troubling when the system becomes so indifferent to people’s lives,” he wrote.
Kashyap added, “Only a man as empathetic and a believer of truth and justice has the courage to do that. I don’t have the courage to do what Sonam Wangchuk is doing. But the silence from the powers to be is deafening to the point that it is proof of their guilt and their murderous intent. I stand with the brave heart that Sonam Wangchuk is.”
Veteran actor Zeenat Aman also expressed support through Instagram, sharing a photograph of Wangchuk and writing, “My thoughts today are in the country’s capital city where @wangchuksworld is entering the 17th day of his indefinite hunger strike.”
Actor Abhay Deol shared what he described as a concerning image of Wangchuk on Instagram, accompanying it with a broken heart emoji in a post that drew praise from supporters.
Omi Vaidya, known for portraying Chatur Ramalingam, also known as Silencer, in the film 3 Idiots, posted a video across his social media accounts on July 14 urging people to pay attention to Wangchuk’s declining health during the indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar.
In the video, Vaidya said, “I don’t want Phunsukh Wangdu to die.”
Actor Soni Razdan joined the campaign by posting an appeal on Instagram urging Wangchuk to end his fast.
“Dear Sonam Wangchuk. For your health, we all do pray. Please do not leave us in this way. Please live to fight another day. Please stay. Please end your fast today,” she wrote.
Acclaimed actor Naseeruddin Shah also praised Wangchuk’s commitment while expressing concern about his health.
Swara Bhaskar visited Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar on July 14, where she thanked him and the Cockroach Janta Party for what she described as fighting for the future of children.
Actor Prakash Raj also voiced support for Wangchuk and the CJP. On July 11, he met Wangchuk in New Delhi and sat alongside CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke to express solidarity with the indefinite hunger strike.
Singer and activist Chinmayi Sripaada also urged Wangchuk to end his fast. Posting on X on July 15 (Wednesday), she wrote, “Please, someone get Mr Wangchuk to call off his fast. The NEET students themselves, exhausted as they are with paper leaks and re-exams, don’t have Sonam Wangchuk on their minds.”
She added, “Dharmendra Pradhan or his bosses couldn’t care a damn if Wangchuk fasted till the end.”
This post is republished from WION News.
