Mumbai: Bollywood actor Salman Khan has urged climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike, expressing concern over his health and offering to send him food from home if he wishes.
The actor also asked the protesting students to pack their bags and return home to their parents.
Taking to Instagram on Thursday, Salman wrote, “The students are at top priority, educationally n security-wise, so they need not worry and have their parents worried for them. The Honorable Prime Minister has tweeted, and I am sure that he will take strict action against all those people who are responsible for this leak. So students, plz go back to your parents n homes.”
Appealing to Wangchuk to end his hunger strike, the actor added, “Sonam, it’s done, bro. Don’t extend this. Keep the spirit for another day if there be a need, which I doubt, n eat something. If u want, will send u food from home.”
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The statement comes a day after the actor addressed the student protests, saying he was glad to see the country’s youth coming together to demand a better education system.
On June 28, Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to express solidarity with the Cockroach Janata Party, which has been calling for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged paper leaks.
Delhi Police moved Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18, reportedly against his wishes. He was later shifted to Medanta Hospital following a Delhi High Court order on Tuesday, but continued his hunger strike during his hospitalisation.
On Wednesday, Wangchuk said he would consider ending his hunger strike if the government assured him that his key demands would be addressed, including protection from legal action for those involved in the massive protest that erupted in Delhi earlier this week.
Wangchuk posted a video from his hospital bed at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, shortly after penning an open letter to Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, who met with him for around 45 minutes near midnight on Tuesday.
“Ministers, opposition leaders with (a letter) signed by 65 MPs appealed to me to end the hunger strike and get back to serving the nation. I also want to do it; my work is important too. But I request the government not to use force against children,” he said in the video.
“I demand an assurance for no accusations or FIRs through which they can be threatened with police or jails. If I get the assurance soon, respecting your sentiments, I can break my fast today. But if I do not receive such assurance, unfortunately I will have to continue my hunger strike,” he added.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Thursday that the government would set up fast-track courts to bring those responsible for paper leaks to justice.
“Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth!” the Prime Minister posted on his official X account.
“We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard. This continues our series of steps for safeguarding the interests of students. Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared,” he said.
