On its 21st day, teacher and climate activist Sonam WangchukThe indefinite hunger strike took an unexpected turn when the police picked him up from the Jantar Mantar protest site in New Delhi and took him to Safdarjung Hospital. The move has evoked sharp reactions from the film fraternity, with: Vishal Dadlani and: Prakash Raj among those who supported Wangchuk and questioned the actions of the authorities. Delhi Police:However, it remains that the hospitalization was done on medical advice and in accordance with the directions from the Delhi High Court, citing concerns over his deteriorating health.
Sonam Wangchuk promised to proceed quickly, calling for July 20 in March
Things turned tense at the protest site after CJP member Abhijeet Dipke said the police forcefully took him away and acted against the protesters. This came a day after Wangchuk said he had lost nearly 20 percent of his body weight but would not stop his fast until his demands were met. After a 20-day fast, Wangchuk released a video asking people across the country to join the CJP’s “Chalo Sansad” march on July 20. He called it a peaceful movement and said its success would depend on how many people came out to march to Parliament in support of the students.
Vishal Dadlani is upset with Sonam Wangchuk’s dismissal
Reacting to the development, singer Vishal Dadlani posted a video on social media, venting his anger that Wangchuk was removed from the protest site. He said, “Dekhi hain kabhi aapne aisi kayarta? Sonam ji ko forcefully utha ke le gaye hain. Iss desh ka joh yeh log kar rahe hain, this is… It breaks my heart. help her somehow.
Prakash Raj calls government’s action ‘shameful’
Prakash Raj also reacted strongly, sharing a screenshot of the X incident. He wrote, “The world is witnessing a Coward government that does not want to dialogue with the youth but wants to behave like Dictators. The forcible arrest of @Wangchuk66 and disturbing the Students peaceful protest is a sign of Fear.” In a follow-up post, he added, “Parde ke peeche kya hai Chappan inch ka Dara hua Nangapan (What’s behind the curtain is the dreaded nudity of the ‘fifty six inch’ chest) What’s behind the screen 56 inches of Trembling Nudity #justasking.“
Sonam Wangchuk’s health is deteriorating amid the third week of fasting
Sonam Wangchuk, the education reformer from Ladakh, has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since June 28, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan due to the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and other irregularities related to the examination, a protest organized with the Cockroach Janata Party (JP Janata Party). The demonstration also renewed the focus on student suicides and the growing anger surrounding the exam controversy. Now in its third week, the fast has raised serious concerns for Wangchuk’s health. It is reported that he has lost around 9 kg and is being closely monitored by doctors. Although his ECG remained normal, he admitted that the prolonged fast had sapped his strength, leaving visible signs of muscle loss.
Sonam Wangchuk refuses to quit early despite health concerns
Despite appeals from doctors and supporters to end his fast, Wangchuk stood his ground. Instead of calling off the protest, he urged people from across the country to join the peaceful “Chalo Sansad” march on July 20, stressing that the success of the movement depends on the support received from ordinary citizens.
The film industry rallies behind Sonam Wangchuk
Many people from the film industry supported Wangchuk’s decision. Actors and filmmakers like Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Zeenat Aman, Shabana Azmi, Sonakshi SinhaVijay Varma, Abhay Deol, Anurag Kashyap, Omi Vaidya, Sayaji Shinde, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Swara Bhasker, Hrithik Roshan, and Prakash Raj have openly said that they support Wangchuk and his protest.