NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Tuesday urged Sonam Wangchuk to call off his indefinite hunger strike as the climate activist’s indefinite fast against examination irregularities and the NEET paper leak controversy reached Day 17.In a post on X, Moitra said Wangchuk had achieved his objective as his fast had united the country’s youth in their fight for justice.“Sonam Sir your fast has united this country’s youth in their war for justice. Your goal is reached. Govt doesn’t care about your life or that of crores of youth. But your life matters to us. Pls call off fast & continue the fight,” Moitra said.Earlier on Monday, a group of eminent citizens, including writer Arundhati Roy, actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, and economist Jayati Ghosh, also appealed to the protesters on indefinite hunger strike to end their fast, while extending full support to their demand for Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.In a joint statement, the signatories said they were “immensely grateful” to the protesters for leading the agitation against the government but expressed deep concern over their worsening health.“We salute your sense of purpose, the determination and courage with which you are spearheading this movement for students and youth across the country,” the statement said.Appealing to the protesters to end their fast, they said, “We request you to please consider ending this hunger strike immediately in the interests of the longer and more difficult struggle ahead. This battle is a marathon, not a sprint, and we need you, your strength and leadership in the days to come.”According to the organisers, Wangchuk has lost 8.2 kilograms since he began fasting. His latest medical parameters showed a blood pressure of 107/70 mmHg and a blood glucose level of 67 mg/dL.Meanwhile, AISA activist Deepak was admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital after his health deteriorated following 16 days of fasting.In a statement, AISA said Deepak had lost around 15 per cent of his body weight and his blood pressure had fallen to 80/40 mmHg over the past three days, prompting doctors to advise immediate hospitalisation due to the risk of organ damage.Addressing a press conference, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke questioned why the government had not initiated talks with the protesters despite the prolonged agitation and the deteriorating health of those on hunger strike.“I request the government not to turn this into a battle of egos as human lives are at stake. Acknowledging a mistake is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of maturity, accountability and the willingness to correct course. All we are asking for is accountability,” he said.As Wangchuk’s fast entered Day 16, comparisons were also drawn with activist Anna Hazare’s 12-day hunger strike in support of the Jan Lokpal movement in 2011.Hazare initially went on hunger strike on April 5, 2011, withdrawing it four days later after the then Union government formed a committee to examine his demands. In August 2011, Hazare again launched a hunger strike, which lasted 12 days.Asked why Wangchuk and the others were still fasting while Hazare’s 2011 hunger strike ended after 12 days, Dipke said, “That was a different India… In today’s India, human lives are not valued.”He also criticised the government for not being concerned about the health of Wangchuk, a Magsaysay awardee and noted educator and innovator.The CJP protest began on June 20, while Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and has remained on an indefinite hunger strike since.
