Calls are growing for Indian educationist and activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his indefinite hunger strike after concerns over his rapidly deteriorating health.
Calls are growing for Indian educationist and activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his indefinite hunger strike after concerns over his rapidly deteriorating health.
The 59-year-old, who has been surviving on salt water for the past 19 days, has lost 9.1kg and aides say he's in immense pain and unable to even stand without support.
The 59-year-old, who has been surviving on salt water for the past 19 days, has lost 9.1kg and aides say he's in immense pain and unable to even stand without support.
On Thursday, the Delhi High Court is set to take up a petition asking it to "urgently intervene and provide medical aid to him" - otherwise "he may die in two days".
On Thursday, the Delhi High Court is set to take up a petition asking it to "urgently intervene and provide medical aid to him" - otherwise "he may die in two days".
Wangchuk has been protesting in support of an online satirical movement called the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) who are seeking educational reforms.
Wangchuk has been protesting in support of an online satirical movement called the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) who are seeking educational reforms.
To begin with, the protesters are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after a key entrance exam for aspiring doctors was cancelled in early May following a paper leak. They say the minister must take moral responsibility and quit.
To begin with, the protesters are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after a key entrance exam for aspiring doctors was cancelled in early May following a paper leak. They say the minister must take moral responsibility and quit.
cancelled in early May following a paper leakPradhan has dismissed CJP and its supporters as "the B-team of disruptive elements". And the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not engaged with the protesters.
Pradhan has dismissed CJP and its supporters as "the B-team of disruptive elements". And the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not engaged with the protesters.
Popularly known as "Sonam sir", Wangchuk is one of Ladakh's best-known public figures and a well-known name in India. His work has earned international recognition, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018, often referred to as Asia's Nobel Prize.
Popularly known as "Sonam sir", Wangchuk is one of Ladakh's best-known public figures and a well-known name in India. His work has earned international recognition, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018, often referred to as Asia's Nobel Prize.
He was the inspiration for Three Idiots, the 2009 superhit Bollywood film, and in 2017, he appeared as a celebrity guest on Kaun Banega Crorepati - the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, hosted by superstar Amitabh Bachchan.
He was the inspiration for Three Idiots, the 2009 superhit Bollywood film, and in 2017, he appeared as a celebrity guest on Kaun Banega Crorepati - the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, hosted by superstar Amitabh Bachchan.
The activist's worsening health parameters have caused alarm among his supporters. As his condition has deteriorated in the past few days, opposition leaders, activists, Bollywood actors and musicians have called on Wangchuk to end his fast.
The activist's worsening health parameters have caused alarm among his supporters. As his condition has deteriorated in the past few days, opposition leaders, activists, Bollywood actors and musicians have called on Wangchuk to end his fast.
More than 1,800 artistes, writers, academics and activists have signed a statement requesting him to stop his hunger strike because the "government does not have a heart or a conscience."
More than 1,800 artistes, writers, academics and activists have signed a statement requesting him to stop his hunger strike because the "government does not have a heart or a conscience."
Leader of the regional Samajwadi Party Akhilesh Yadav said he had appealed to Wangchuk to break his fast.
Leader of the regional Samajwadi Party Akhilesh Yadav said he had appealed to Wangchuk to break his fast.
"He should consider this request in the public interest. The aspiration of the entire youth power of the country, their guardians, families and relatives is the same, because the nation is in great need of his moral strength; therefore, accepting the appeals coming from the entire world, he should break his fast, take a few days for health recovery, accumulate new energy, and then rejoin a new movement," Yadav posted on X.
"He should consider this request in the public interest. The aspiration of the entire youth power of the country, their guardians, families and relatives is the same, because the nation is in great need of his moral strength; therefore, accepting the appeals coming from the entire world, he should break his fast, take a few days for health recovery, accumulate new energy, and then rejoin a new movement," Yadav posted on X.
Congress party MP Shashi Tharoor requested Wangchuk to end his fast in a "heartfelt appeal".
Congress party MP Shashi Tharoor requested Wangchuk to end his fast in a "heartfelt appeal".
"You have awakened the conscience of the nation; that is what a fast is meant to do. India needs your voice for the long road ahead," he wrote on X.
"You have awakened the conscience of the nation; that is what a fast is meant to do. India needs your voice for the long road ahead," he wrote on X.
"With Parliament in session again from Monday, we will have an opportunity to raise the students' issues in the highest forum of our democracy. That's where the problem should be addressed, not by fasting unto death. Please heed my plea," the MP added.
"With Parliament in session again from Monday, we will have an opportunity to raise the students' issues in the highest forum of our democracy. That's where the problem should be addressed, not by fasting unto death. Please heed my plea," the MP added.
In a post on Instagram, legendary actor Zeenat Aman implored "the government to open dialogue on this matter that concerns the future of all India".
In a post on Instagram, legendary actor Zeenat Aman implored "the government to open dialogue on this matter that concerns the future of all India".
"We must not become a society that sits back and watches one of its greatest minds be sacrificed," she wrote.
"We must not become a society that sits back and watches one of its greatest minds be sacrificed," she wrote.
Wangchuk has so far refused to call off his fast. On Tuesday, he'd told the BBC that "I have to take what I've begun to its logical conclusion".
Wangchuk has so far refused to call off his fast. On Tuesday, he'd told the BBC that "I have to take what I've begun to its logical conclusion".
told the BBCOn Wednesday, a video that went viral showed the activist being helped by people while he walked. But a minute later, he was seen clutching his leg and wincing in pain and had to sit down in a chair.
On Wednesday, a video that went viral showed the activist being helped by people while he walked. But a minute later, he was seen clutching his leg and wincing in pain and had to sit down in a chair.
Meanwhile, a petition was filed in the high court, seeking "to take him to a government hospital and force-feed him" to prevent him from dying.
Meanwhile, a petition was filed in the high court, seeking "to take him to a government hospital and force-feed him" to prevent him from dying.
The government is treating the activist "like a hardcore criminal, terrorist or traitor to the nation" and is not concerned about him, the petition said.
The government is treating the activist "like a hardcore criminal, terrorist or traitor to the nation" and is not concerned about him, the petition said.
"If he passes away, it would be a matter of great shame for the country and the world," legal website Bar and Bench quoted from the plea.
"If he passes away, it would be a matter of great shame for the country and the world," legal website Bar and Bench quoted from the plea.
The protest at Jantar Mantar, an 18th Century astronomical observatory in the Indian capital, was started by CJP, led by its founder Abhijeet Dipke.
The protest at Jantar Mantar, an 18th Century astronomical observatory in the Indian capital, was started by CJP, led by its founder Abhijeet Dipke.
Wangchuk is not alone. Several others, including members of student organisations, are also on hunger strike alongside him. One of them was taken to hospital after his health deteriorated sharply earlier in the week.
Wangchuk is not alone. Several others, including members of student organisations, are also on hunger strike alongside him. One of them was taken to hospital after his health deteriorated sharply earlier in the week.
Several othersThe protesters have called for a day-long hunger strike on Thursday.
The protesters have called for a day-long hunger strike on Thursday.
They have also announced plans to march to the parliament on 20 July, the day the next session starts.
They have also announced plans to march to the parliament on 20 July, the day the next session starts.
