Guwahati: More than 160 eminent personalities from Assam, including academics, writers, journalists, former bureaucrats, retired police officers and social activists, have appealed to environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk to immediately end his hunger strike, while criticising the Union government for its response to his protest.
In a joint appeal issued on Thursday, the signatories said Wangchuk’s health had deteriorated after 20 days of fasting at Jantar Mantar and urged him not to risk his life further.
According to the appeal, Wangchuk is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged failure to prevent question paper leaks.
Describing Wangchuk as a “globally renowned environmental activist and educationist” who represents “the pride and aspirations of the Ladakhi people,” the signatories said the Government of India should have responded to his peaceful protest much earlier.
“The Government of India should have responded to his peaceful protest much earlier. However, expecting compassion or civility from a dispensation that appears wooden-hearted and power-driven is like crying in the wilderness,” the statement said.
The appeal further said Wangchuk had already succeeded in exposing “the heartlessness and insensitivity of those in power” through his prolonged fast.
“When the government remains unmoved by such a protracted hunger strike by a person of Sonam Wangchuk’s eminence and stature, one can only imagine how ordinary citizens and dissenters are treated,” it added.
Expressing concern over his deteriorating condition, the signatories said, “Sonamji’s life is now in grave danger. We appeal to him to break his fast immediately.”
The appeal has been endorsed by several prominent public figures from Assam, including public intellectual Hiren Gohain, former Assam DGP and Sahitya Akademi Award-winning poet Harekrishna Deka, former Archbishop of Guwahati Thomas Menamparampil, former Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, former NEHU professor Apurba Kumar Barua, former ADGP Jyotirmoy Chakraborty, editor-in-chief of Northeast Now Paresh Malakar, Prag News Chief Editor Prasanta Rajguru, Pratidin Time Editor-in-Chief Nitumoni Saikia and senior advocate Santanu Borthakur among many others.
The signatories represent a cross-section of society, including former civil servants, educationists, journalists, authors, artists, advocates, doctors and social activists from across Assam.