Atul Kulkarni revealed he will undertake a one-day hunger strike on July 16 at his home to support educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. Sharing a video message on Wednesday, the actor appealed to the government to begin dialogue with Wangchuk, whose indefinite hunger strike has now entered its 19th day. Wangchuk has been staging his protest at Jantar Mantar, seeking the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities linked to the NEET exam.
Atul Kulkarni appeals to people to join the cause
Kulkarni further requested people who share Wangchuk’s concerns to circulate his message and participate in the one-day fast. The actor explained that his decision came from a wish to stand in solidarity with the pain felt by Wangchuk and his associates, while urging the government to handle the matter with sensitivity.In his video message, Kulkarni shared, “Tomorrow, on July 16, I will be observing a one-day hunger strike from my own home. There are two reasons behind this fast. Firstly, I want to connect with the pain that Sonam ji and his associates are going through. Secondly, I want to request our government to show its sensitivity towards the matter.” He added that although Wangchuk and his supporters believe genuine concerns are driving their demands, the government’s perspective seems to differ. “I am not ready to believe that our government is insensitive, because many times we have seen our government express emotions and connect with the pain of the people. Perhaps, in this case, there are some misunderstandings due to which this sensitivity is not being expressed, and a dialogue is not taking place,” he said.
Atul Kulkarni urges government to begin dialogue without delay
Kulkarni then urged the government to initiate talks without further delay. “My request to the government is that they should begin this dialogue without delay,” he said. He also encouraged others who identified with the cause to join the fast for a day. “If you find these reasons valid, and if you connect with the pain that Sonam ji and his associates are going through, then share this reel and try observing a one-day hunger strike tomorrow as well,” he said. Recalling a thought he attributed to a wise person, Kulkarni added, “Dard ka dard se rishta hona bohot zaroori hai. (It is important for pain to have a connection with pain).” He concluded his message by calling on people to come together and start a collective effort through a one-day fast.
Other celebrities who have supported Wangchuk
Over the past few days, several other celebrities, including Shabana Azmi, Abhay Deol, Zeenat Aman, Anurag Kashyap and Omi Vaidya, have also extended their support to Wangchuk during his hunger strike. Wangchuk continues his indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
About Wangchuk’s demands and Atul Kulkarni’s renewed appeal
Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janata Party continue to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over irregularities and paper leak allegations linked to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test, NEET-UG, conducted on May 3. Kulkarni’s announcement adds to the support around Wangchuk’s indefinite protest while repeating his call for dialogue without delay.