The hunger-strike of educationalist Sonam Wangchuk has entered its 19th day and now more and more people from the Hindi film industry have started speaking up. Actor Sonakshi Sinha has become the latest actor who has shown concern over Wangchuk’s health and has also expressed a need for speaking against an apathetic system.
Sonakshi spoke her mind and conveyed her helplessness in an Instagram video. She begins by saying in Hindi, “I normally don’t do this but today I can’t stop myself.”
“We all know Sonam Wangchuk and about his achievements. Today is the 18th day of his hunger strike. Who is he protesting for? It is for the students whose future he thinks is in peril, for the children who died. He is fighting against a system which is not functioning properly. We all know it,” she adds.
Stating that she is unable to keep her silence now, Sonakshi says, “A lot of people are not saying anything but I can’t not anymore. Now whatever happens, happens, I can’t be silent.”
She also expressed her dissatisfaction with the system. “Why is nobody listening? Nobody is starting a dialogue. Nobody is paying them any attention. That’s when I thought why am I silent? I am also a youth of this country. I am not anti-national,” she says.
Sonakshi also questioned the government. “When is it going to be enough? When he dies then will you wake up? Whatever is happening is not correct.”
“We should raise our voice. We should open our eyes. Jai Hind,” she concluded.
Apart from Sonakshi, other actors too like Fatima Sana Shaikh and Aditi Rao Hydari took to social media to express their solidarity with Wangchuk. Fatima shared photos of the educationalist and wrote, “It’s now been 19 days! We cannot keep waiting until it’s too late to start listening… Someone like Sonam Wangchuk, who has given so much to this country, shouldn’t have to risk his health just to be heard..”
“Whatever your politics, a student’s future is worth protecting. It’s really very heartbreaking to watch someone like him deteriorate like this. I hope this ends with dialogue, not us losing Sonam wangchuk! The youth of today will carry this nation forward. The least we can do is stand by them and support their right to a fair future,” she added.
Aditi also shared a monochrome picture of Wangchuk and wrote, “Political differences shape a nation’s politics. Humanity shapes its character. This life is invaluable.”
Previously celebrities like Shabana Azmi, Zeenat Aman, Omi Vaidya, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Swara Bhasker, Anurag Kashyap, and recently Imran Khan have spoken up in support of Wangchuk.
The protest, led by the social media collective Cockroach Janta Party, began on June 20, with Wangchuk joining the movement on June 28. The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Rs 1 crore in compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET-UG paper leak controversy. They have also announced a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session.