New Delhi: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Monday appealed for nationwide backing as his indefinite hunger strike entered its second day, asking people to join him at Jantar Mantar or stage one-day fasts locally to press for education reforms, environmental safeguards and greater accountability.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke posted a video in which Wangchuk appealed to people to come to Delhi or stage one-day fasts in their own states, cities or villages.
“Namaskar, in support of education and environment, in support of CJP and Ladakh, today is my second day of Anshan on salt and water. Many people have joined here, you can also join. If you come here for one day of Anshan, it will be very good,” Wangchuk said.
“Some people are doing it for three to five days. It is very good to show support. If you can’t come here, then in your state, city or village, for one day of Anshan, for education, for improvement, for response from the government, for environment, for air and water, you can do it,” he added.
Wangchuk began the open-ended fast on Sunday at Jantar Mantar, joining the ongoing CJP demonstration that is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.
Before starting the hunger strike, Wangchuk and Dipke visited Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi, as reported by The New Indian Express.
Addressing those present on Sunday, Wangchuk argued that India’s education system needed a fundamental realignment, and that the education minister stepping down would be an initial move toward restoring accountability.
“No developed nation has achieved progress without investing in quality education. Similarly, India cannot become a Viksit Bharat without strengthening its education system. The issues that have emerged recently indicate that this government is working against the interests of education. Our movement seeks a course correction in the education system, and the education minister’s resignation is the first step toward achieving that,” he said.
Wangchuk had earlier warned he would launch an indefinite hunger strike if the government did not respond to at least one of two principal demands: the CJP’s call for accountability in the education sector and concrete measures to protect Ladakh’s environment, culture and democratic rights.
Meanwhile, Dipke accused the Delhi Police of cutting off water and sanitation at the protest site soon after Wangchuk began his fast on Sunday.
“Delhi Police has cut off sanitation facility at Jantar Mantar after Sonam Wangchuk announced his hunger strike. No water connection and hygiene measures,” Dipke wrote on X.
He added: “Despite repeated pleas and informing them about Wangchuk ji’s age and health concerns, the Police is not cooperating, and we fear other basic facilities may also be withdrawn. What are the police up to?”
