Today marks the 17th day of Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, with concerns growing over his deteriorating health. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra have appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast.
Several prominent figures, including actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, as well as writer Arundhati Roy, have also backed the movement’s demands while urging Wangchuk and other protesters to call off their hunger strike in view of their worsening health.
Meanwhile, Wangchuk has appealed to people across the country to join the protest at Jantar Mantar and observe a symbolic one-day fast in solidarity with the movement.
Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi had come to meet Sonam Wangchuk on Monday.
Politicians and film personalities react to Sonam’s hunger strike
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav: “The BJP government that Sonam Wangchuk is trying to awaken through his indefinite hunger strike has become an entrenched and corrupt system. Such an insensitive and ruthless government has no regard for anyone’s sacrifice. Expecting compassion or a change of heart from it is futile.”
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke: “Sonam Wangchuk’s life is at risk. The government must now seriously consider his demands.”
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal: “I will visit Jantar Mantar at 5 pm on 16 July to meet Sonam Wangchuk and the CJP protesters and express my support.”
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke shared Sonam’s photo.
