Sonam Wangchuk’s fast at Jantar Mantar continues for the 17th day. The CJP has called several leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and JP Nadda, to express their support. Over 1,800 celebrities and several opposition leaders have appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast.
Concerns over Wangchuk’s health, appeal to end fast
New Delhi: The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which is protesting at Jantar Mantar against the alleged rigging and paper leak in the NEET-UG exam, on Tuesday wrote to leaders of all political parties in the country, urging them to come forward in support of the students. The party has invited leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties to reach Jantar Mantar to stand with the youth in their struggle.
- BJP National President and Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, as well as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, have been specially invited in this letter.
- Several other senior leaders, including veteran South Indian cinema actor and politician Thalapathy Vijay, have also been invited.
- On the other hand, several prominent figures and opposition leaders have urged environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 17 days, to end her fast.
- More than 1,800 prominent figures in the country, including renowned artists, writers, academics, and social activists, have issued an open letter in support.
- Signatories to this letter include Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Arundhati Roy, economist Jean Dreze, Jayanti Ghosh, Nivedita Menon, and Anuradha Chinoy.
Urge to End Fast
Earlier, TMC MP Mahua Moitra and NCP leader Rohit Pawar expressed concern and urged him to end the fast. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj and Bharatiya Kisan Union Chaduni leaders reached Jantar Mantar, stating that Wangchuk’s condition was deteriorating due to his fast and that he was rapidly losing weight. They called for a march to Parliament on July 20, at the start of the monsoon session. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast.
‘Nothing should happen to him’
On Tuesday, Omi Vaidya, who played Chatur in the film 3 Idiots, shared an emotional video on social media, urging Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike. He said that the popular character Phunsukh Wangdu was inspired by Sonam Wangchuk in real life. He said that nothing should happen to Phunsukh Wangdu.
Kejriwal to arrive at Jantar Mantar tomorrow
In a press conference on Tuesday, Kejriwal expressed his support for the ongoing protest by the Cockroach Janata Party at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Kejriwal stated that he would visit Jantar Mantar on Thursday (July 16) at 5 p.m. to express his support.
Rahul and Nadda also invited
- Leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties invited
- Several senior leaders, including Thalapathy Vijay, were also invited
- Kejriwal said Wangchuk is a national treasure
- Akhilesh Yadav also appealed to break the fast
Hope for change, courage not waning even at night
The streets of Delhi are currently buzzing with traffic, but inside Jantar Mantar, a different world exists. The clock is striking 10 p.m. Black tarpaulins are stretched overhead, sheets are spread below, and young people sitting among them are keeping the protest alive in their own ways. The crowd isn’t very large, but those present don’t seem in a hurry to leave. A guitar riff begins in a corner. A few boys and girls begin singing revolutionary songs in unison. As soon as the song ends, applause erupts, and then a new song begins. A circle has formed a short distance away. A young man sitting in the center expresses his views on the education system with hand gestures. Those around him listen without interruption.
The protesters here are between 20 and 30 years old.
The main stage of the protest is quiet. Large banners hang behind the stage, with messages related to ‘hunger strike’ and education visible from a distance. Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk lies on the same stage. The fast continues. People come around the stage, stand for a while, watch, and then quietly leave. Posters are plastered all over the protest site. Some demand changes to the education system, while others demand the resignation of the Education Minister. Students have handwritten messages on many posters: “Government, let us live,” “Change the education system,” “We want transparency in exams.” Slogans are also raised, but not continuously. Occasionally, a group raises its voice, and then the atmosphere returns to songs and discussions.
The protest here isn’t just in its voices, but also in its stillness.
Interestingly, most of the people present appear to be between 20 and 30 years old. Some are sending live updates on social media. Some join in the discussion. Many faces are tired, but their spirits remain undiminished. Small groups have formed at the protest site. Each group has its own topic. Some are debating education policy, others are discussing unemployment, and others are discussing the Constitution. The protest isn’t limited to slogans; it’s also evident in the conversations. The night is drawing in, but Jantar Mantar hasn’t slept yet.
“People have come to register their presence.”
The banners flashing in the light, the youth sitting on the ground, the resounding songs, and the occasional slogans testify that while the numbers may not be large, the people present here have come to make their presence felt. Perhaps the most striking image of this night at Jantar Mantar is that the protest here is not just in voice, but also in steadfastness. There is no haste, no hurry. The only hope is that their voices will be heard, the education system will change, and the questions they are sitting here with will be answered.
Contributed by: Mohd. Asgar, Edited by: Tina
About the Author
Tina works as a consultant at Navbharat Times Online and is in the process of establishing her identity in the world of digital journalism. Currently, she actively works on national, crime, jungle news, good news, and local news.
Courtesy: Hindi News