Lucknow, Jul 14 (PTI) Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday appealed to educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, saying that no sacrifice holds significance for the “insensitive” BJP government.
Yadav also talked to Wangchuk over the phone to enquire about his health and expressed his party’s “open support” to the protest.
The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister’s appeal comes on the 24th day of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar and the 17th day of Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike.
“We humbly request and earnestly appeal to Shri Sonam Wangchuk ji to break his fast. His life is invaluable to the entire world because it embodies the same commitment to humanity and the environment as it does to democracy,” Yadav posted on X.
“The BJP government, which he is attempting to awaken through his fast unto death, is itself a principle-less and corrupt system. In its insensitivity and heartlessness, the sacrifice of anyone holds no significance; therefore, expecting any sense of propriety or change of heart from BJP members is utterly futile,” he said.
“For them (BJP), no one’s life holds any value. For them, money is paramount. They are intoxicated with the arrogance of wealth earned through corruption. Hoping for a change in them is in vain. Those who are arrogant cannot be refined,” he added.
Yadav also targeted the BJP over the donation theft at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
“How would those who loot even temples out of ‘satta-graha’ (greed for power) understand the significance of ‘satyagraha’ (soul force)? They have no concern for the future of the youth, nor for the dreams of their parents and other family members. They are simply self-centred people,” he said.
“To defeat and permanently remove the BJP — which is strangling democracy — and its gang of underground, unregistered allies, may your morale and moral strength continue to inspire every true Indian. May you forever remain a beacon of light for your countrymen, the youth, and the struggles for democracy and the environment. This is our collective wish and prayer,” he added.
In a later X post, Yadav said he spoke to Wangchuk over the phone to inquire about his health and appealed to him to end his hunger strike.
While expressing Samajwadi Party’s “open support” for Wangchuk’s satyagraha, Yadav urged him to consider ending his fast in the larger public interest, saying that the country needed his “moral strength.” He said Wangchuk should recuperate and resume his movement with renewed energy, while expanding protests across the country against the BJP as a “negative, corrupt, dishonest, anti-democratic and communal” party.
Linking the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and Ram temple donation theft to broader governance issues, Yadav said that global concern over Wangchuk’s hunger strike was damaging India’s image as a democracy under the BJP government.
He wished Wangchuk a speedy recovery as the activist has reportedly lost 8.2 kilograms since he began fasting.
The CJP has been holding a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and has been on an indefinite fast since then. The organisation has announced a march to Parliament on July 20. PTI KIS ABN RUK RUK
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.