Atul Kulkarni revealed that he will go on a one-day hunger strike on July 16 at his home in support of the educator and climate activist. Sonam Wangchuk. Sharing a video message on Wednesday, the actor appealed to the government to open dialogue with Wangchuk, whose indefinite hunger strike has reached its 19th day. Wangchuk has staged his protest at Jantar Mantar, calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities related to the NEET exam
Atul Kulkarni appeals to people to join the cause
Kulkarni also asked people who share Wangchuk’s concerns to spread his message and participate in the one-day fast. The actor explained that his decision arose out of a desire to empathize with the pain felt by Wangchuk and his associates, while urging the government to handle the matter sensitively.In his video message, Kulkarni shared, “Tomorrow, July 16, I will be attending a one-day hunger strike from my home. There are two reasons behind this fast. First of all I want to connect with the pain that Sonam ji and her associates are going through. Second, I want to ask our government to show sensitivity to the matter.” He added that while Wangchuk and his supporters believe genuine concerns are driving their demands, the government’s perspective appears to be different. “I am not ready to believe that our government is insensitive, because many times we have seen how our government expressed emotions and connected with people’s pain. Perhaps, in this case, there are some misunderstandings because of which this sensitivity is not being expressed, and there is no dialogue,” he said.
Atul Kulkarni urges the government to initiate dialogue without delay
Kulkarni then urged the government to start talks without further delay. “My request to the government is to start this dialogue without delay,” he said. He also encouraged others who identify with the cause to join the day-long fast. “If you find these reasons valid and if you connect with the pain that Sonam ji and her associates are going through, please share this reel and try to observe a one-day hunger strike tomorrow as well,” he said. Recalling a thought he attributed to a wise person, Kulkarni added, “Dard ka dard se rishta hona bohot zaroori hai. (It is important that pain has a connection with pain).” He concluded his message by appealing to the people to come together and initiate a collective effort through a one-day fast.
Other celebrities who have supported Wangchuk
Over the past few days, several other celebrities, among them Shabana AzmiAbhay Deol, Zeenat AmanAnurag Kashyap and Omi Vaidyathey have also extended their support to Wangchuk during his hunger strike. Wangchuk continues his indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
On Wangchuk’s lawsuits and Atul Kulkarni’s renewed appeal
Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janata Party continue to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over allegations of irregularities and paper leaks related to the National Eligibility and Entrance Test, NEET-UG, conducted on May 3. Kulkarni’s announcement adds support to Wangchuk’s indefinite protest without delay and his call for dialogue without delay.