Mumbai: Bollywood actor Sonakshi Sinha has released a strongly worded video statement in support of Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently on an indefinite hunger strike in New Delhi amid the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests.
The actress also questioned those who have remained silent and have not spoken out in support of Wangchuk.
Expressing concern over Wangchuk’s health, Sonakshi said, “I’ve never given a statement like this before, but today we can’t ignore him. Sonam Wangchuk. We all know him. We know what he has done for our country, his achievements and the many awards he has received.”
Referring to his hunger strike, she added, “He is hungry. He hasn’t eaten anything. For whom is he doing this? He is doing this for the future of children who lost their lives. He is fighting a system that is not working properly. I know this. You know this. We all know this.”
Sonakshi then questioned those who have chosen to remain silent.
“A lot of people are still silent. I can’t stay silent. Whatever happens, let it happen. No problem. I can’t remain silent,” she said.
The actress also urged the government to initiate a dialogue with Wangchuk. “Why is nobody listening? Nobody cares. Nobody is open to a dialogue,” she said.
Explaining why she decided to speak out, Sonakshi added, “Main koi anti-national nahi hu.”
Sonakshi is not the only Bollywood celebrity to have expressed concern over Wangchuk’s health.
Earlier, Zeenat Aman, Prakash Raj, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Abhay Deol, Omi Vaidya and several others have voiced their support for him and the CJP protest.
“My thoughts today are in the country’s capital city where @wangchuksworld world is entering the 17th day of his indefinite hunger strike. I read in a news article that Mr. Wangchuk “…has started losing muscle mass and is in immense pain.” And that, when asked to end his fast, he replied “Don’t ask me to end my fast. Ask the government why they won’t even have a dialogue,” wrote Zeenat Aman.
‘3 Idiots’ actor Omi Vaidya, who played the popular character Chatur in the film, urged people to learn more about Wangchuk’s work and understand the issues behind his protest, while expressing concern over his health.