Actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, writer Arundhati Roy, economist Jayati Ghosh, and several academics, activists, and cultural figures have signed a public appeal requesting Wangchuk and fellow protesters to call off their fast. The appeal came just hours after actors Zeenat Aman, Omi Vaidya, Prakash Raj, and Shreya Dhanwanthary also voiced support for the campaign.
While backing the demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, the signatories stressed that the movement needs its leaders to remain healthy and continue leading the long-term fight for education reforms.
Public figures urge Wangchuk to protect his health
In the statement shared by PTI, the signatories praised the protesters for standing up for students and young people across India.
"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 appeal read.
They also urged Wangchuk and others observing the indefinite fast to reconsider their decision, saying the campaign would require sustained leadership.
"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," the statement added.
The appeal further criticised what it described as the government's failure to respond to the protesters' demands, warning that continued inaction could put their health at greater risk.
"We worry that their negligence in responding to your demands will only worsen the already fragile state of health that many of you are in," the statement said.
Apart from Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Arundhati Roy and Jayati Ghosh, the appeal was signed by academics Anuradha Chenoy, Nivedita Menon, Tanika Sarkar and Aditya Nigam, filmmaker Sanjay Kak, activist Lalita Ramdas, Kavita Srivastava, feminist Madhu Bhushan and cultural practitioner Arundhati Ghosh.
Sonam Wangchuk completes 16 days of indefinite fast
The appeal comes as the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest entered its 24th day, while Sonam Wangchuk completed 16 days on an indefinite hunger strike.
On Day 17, CJP founder Abhijit Dipke shared an update on X, revealing that Wangchuk had lost 8.2 kg since beginning the fast. According to the post, his blood glucose level stood at 67, while his blood pressure was recorded at 107/70.
Why is Sonam Wangchuk protesting?
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), formed as a satirical political movement, is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged mismanagement of major national examinations, including NEET, CUET, CBSE and SSC.
The group has raised concerns over repeated paper leak controversies and their impact on students, alleging that the resulting pressure has contributed to several student suicides.
Sonam Wangchuk, the Ladakh-based engineer, innovator and education reformer known for developing the Ice Stupa and serving as one of the real-life inspirations behind 3 Idiots, joined the protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on June 28. He has maintained that he will continue his indefinite hunger strike until there is accountability within the education system.
The protesters are also demanding ₹1 crore in compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide following the examination controversy.
Meanwhile, the movement is preparing for its next phase. CJP has announced a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20, coinciding with the start of the Monsoon Session. Organisers say they will take their demands directly to Parliament if the government continues to remain unresponsive.
