Zeenat Aman voices support for Sonam Wangchuk amid hunger strike, urges Centre to hold talks
New Delhi | Veteran actor Zeenat Aman on Tuesday appealed to the central government to open a dialogue with education reformer and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on hunger strike since June 28, saying India should not "sit back and watch one of its greatest minds be sacrificed".
In a post on Instagram, the veteran star said the government must have "peaceful" talks with Wangchuk as it concerns the "future of all India".
"We must not become a society that sits back and watches one of its greatest minds be sacrificed. India has a long history of peaceful protest; those who wield power are obliged to meet such protest with peaceful dialogue," Aman wrote.
"With respect to Mr. Wangchuk's wishes, I implore the Indian government to open dialogue on this matter that concerns the future of all India," she added.
Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar after joining the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) protest demanding education minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination on June 28.
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.