New Delhi, July 17: Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday asserted that he would “stay alive till July 20 at any cost”, even as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 20th day amid a warning from doctors that his prolonged fast has reached a critical stage.
As the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) agitation at Jantar Mantar against alleged examination irregularities entered its 28th day on Friday, Congress leader Pawan Khera became the latest political leader to visit Wangchuk and other protesters to express his solidarity.
Addressing supporters, Wangchuk acknowledged his weakening physical condition but said his resolve remained unshaken.
“I am weak from the outside but very strong inside. I am sure all of you are strong from the inside, and outside too. We need this energy for July 20, when we will take out a peaceful march to Parliament. We will go together and present our plea in the temple of democracy,” he said.
“I will stay alive till July 20 at any cost. If you don’t come and July 20 is not successful, I will come back as a ghost,” he said in a lighter vein, drawing cheers from the gathering. Wangchuk lost another 350 grams over the last 24 hours, taking his cumulative weight loss to about 9.5 kg.
CJP protest continue receiving political support
Political support for the CJP’s agitation continued to grow, with Congress leader Pawan Khera visiting Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar on Friday.
Khera’s visit came a day after Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav met the hunger strikers and urged the Centre to initiate dialogue, and after Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav reached out to express concern over Wangchuk’s health and extend support to the proposed Parliament march.
Over the last week, the agitation has also drawn support from actor Prakash Raj; former Delhi chief minister Atishi; TMC MPs Mahua Moitra and Sagarika Ghose; CPI(M) MP Amra Ram; veteran CPI(M) leader Subhashini Ali; former Kerala ministers K K Shailaja, Thomas Isaac, K N Balagopal and P Rajeev; Tripura Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury; Samajwadi Party MPs Pushpendra Saroj and Priya Saroj; Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant; NCP MLA Rohit Pawar; and Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Gurnam Singh Charuni.
Over 60 academics, filmmakers urge activist to end hunger strike
Academics, filmmakers and civil society activists on Friday appealed to Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike, calling him “our collective conscience”.
The joint appeal had over 60 signatories, including Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee, authors Amitav Ghosh, Arundhati Roy, Kiran Desai and filmmakers Zoya Akhtar, Honey Trehan and Vishal Bharadwaj.
“Sonam Wangchuk — on the 20th excruciating day of his hunger strike — is our collective conscience, a great protector and ally of the environment and of young people in India.
“Sonamji — we appeal to you to end your fast. You are too precious to lose in this tragic way. Your sacrifice and courage have inspired people around the world,” the appeal said.
They urged the government to initiate a dialogue with Wangchuk and “honour the spirit of public service that he represents”. (PTI)
