Ladakh-based environmental activist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for more than 17 days now, protesting the paper leak that hit the NEET-UG examination. The fast, run jointly with the Cockroach Janta Party, carries one central demand, that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan step down. As the strike stretches on, Wangchuk's health has taken a visible hit, and a string of Bollywood names, including Zeenat Aman and Swara Bhasker, have now stepped forward to back him.
Falling blood pressure, an 8 kg weight loss
More than 17 days into the fast, Wangchuk's blood pressure keeps dropping and he has lost 8 kg in the process, leaving his condition, in his supporters' words, extremely fragile. He has put his own life on the line for the future of students, and that sacrifice has now drawn concern from across the film industry.
Swara Bhasker visits Jantar Mantar, takes an indirect dig
Actor Swara Bhasker recently travelled to Jantar Mantar herself to meet Sonam Wangchuk. While there, she called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, without naming him directly, to show some humanity, and also commented on his degree.
Soni Razdan's emotional poem
Alia Bhatt's mother and senior actor Soni Razdan, visibly disturbed by Wangchuk's deteriorating health, shared a moving poem for him on social media. It read, Dear Sonam Wangchuk, we are all praying for your health, please don't leave us this way, please live to fight another day. Please stop. Please end your fast today. In her caption, Razdan wrote that they need him and asked him not to leave them.
Zeenat Aman appeals to the government to start talks
Veteran actor Zeenat Aman has also expressed deep concern over Wangchuk's worsening health. In a lengthy note on Instagram, she appealed to the Indian government to begin talks on the matter immediately. Aman wrote that society should not be one that sits by silently while watching one of its finest people reach such a state.
Shabana Azmi and Prakash Raj lend their voices
Senior actor Shabana Azmi also came out in full support of Sonam Wangchuk. She wrote on social media that the country badly needs genuine voices like his that stand up against injustice, saluting his resolve and saying the entire nation is proud of him. Actor Prakash Raj, who has consistently spoken up on social issues, backed Wangchuk as well. He advocated for the rights of the protesting students and demanded that the government take immediate steps to break the deadlock and address Wangchuk's demands.
Rubina Dilaik calls him a real hero
Actor Rubina Dilaik also threw her support behind the campaign. Sharing Zeenat Aman's post, she described Sonam Wangchuk as a real hero, saying the health of someone fighting for the country and society's welfare should not be gambled with.
Support keeps growing
With these celebrities speaking out, the issue is back in the spotlight. While fans and the public remain worried about Wangchuk's health, the film industry's show of support is adding pressure on the government to reach a concrete decision on the students' and Wangchuk's demands soon.
