Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly taken to hospital on the 21st day of his hunger strike, sparking outrage from Vishal Dadlani and Prakash Raj, who slammed the government. Delhi Police cited health concerns and court orders. Wangchuk, demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over NEET-UG irregularities, urged citizens to join the July 20 “Chalo Sansad” march.
On its 21st day, educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike took an unexpected turn when police removed him from the protest site at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and took him to Safdarjung Hospital. The move sparked sharp reactions from the film fraternity, with Vishal Dadlani and Prakash Raj among those who supported Wangchuk and questioned the authorities’ action. Delhi Police, however, maintained that the hospitalisation was carried out on medical advice and in line with directions from the Delhi High Court, citing worries over his worsening health.
Sonam Wangchuk vows to continue fast, calls for July 20 march
Things got tense at the protest site after CJP member Abhijeet Dipke said police forcibly removed him and took action against protesters. This happened a day after Wangchuk said he had lost nearly 20 per cent of his body weight but would not stop his fast until his demands were met. After 20 days of fasting, Wangchuk released a video asking people across the country to join the CJP’s “Chalo Sansad” march on July 20. He called it a peaceful movement and said its success would depend on how many people came out to march to Parliament in support of the students.
Vishal Dadlani reacts angrily to Sonam Wangchuk’s removal
Reacting to the development, singer Vishal Dadlani posted a video on social media, venting his anger over Wangchuk being taken away from the protest site. He said, “Dekhi hain kabhi aapne aisi kayarta? Sonam ji ko forcefully utha ke le gaye hain. Iss desh ka joh yeh log kar rahe hain, this is… It breaks my heart. Mere desh walon, kab jaagoge? Ab nahi jaagoge toh kab jaagoge? I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what to think. I just wish I was there to help him some way. Bheja fatt raha hain mera gusse se iss waqt.”
Prakash Raj calls government’s action a ‘shame’
Prakash Raj also reacted sharply, sharing a screenshot of the incident on X. He wrote, “World is witnessing a Coward government who don’t want to engage in a dialogue with the youth but want to behave like Dictators . Forcibly taking away @Wangchuk66 and disrupting Students peaceful protest is a sign of Fear . What a SHAME #justasking.” In a follow-up post, he added, “Parde ke peeche kya hai Chappan inch ka Dara hua Nangapan (What lies behind the curtain is the frightened nakedness of the ‘fifty-six-inch’ chest) What’s behind the screen 56 inches of Shivering Nakedness #justasking.”
Sonam Wangchuk’s health deteriorates amid third week of fast
Sonam Wangchuk, the education reformer from Ladakh, has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar since June 28, demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and other examination-related irregularities, a protest organised jointly with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The demonstration has also reignited focus on student suicides and the mounting anger surrounding the exam controversy. Now in its third week, the fast has raised serious concerns for Wangchuk’s health: he has reportedly shed nearly 9 kg and continues to be closely monitored by doctors. Though his ECG remains normal, he has admitted that the prolonged fast has drained his strength considerably, leaving visible signs of muscle loss.
Sonam Wangchuk refuses to end fast despite health concerns
Despite appeals from doctors and supporters to end his fast, Wangchuk has stood his ground. Rather than calling off the protest, he has urged people from across the country to join the peaceful “Chalo Sansad” march on July 20, stressing that the movement’s success rests on the backing it receives from ordinary citizens.
Film industry rallies behind Sonam Wangchuk
Many people from the film industry have supported Wangchuk’s decision. Actors and filmmakers such as Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Zeenat Aman, Shabana Azmi, Sonakshi Sinha, Vijay Varma, Abhay Deol, Anurag Kashyap, Omi Vaidya, Sayaji Shinde, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Swara Bhasker, Hrithik Roshan, and Prakash Raj have openly said they support Wangchuk and his protest. Go to Source
