Actor Shabana Azmi has appealed to activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his indefinite hunger strike, stating that India needs him to continue fighting injustice.
Shabana Azmi said Mr. Wangchuk's guidance gives hope to students and urged him to stay healthy. The country stands with him, she added.
The appeal comes on the 18th day of protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Mr. Wangchuk, 59, has lost 8.5 kilograms during the fast, which is part of a campaign by the Cockroach Janta Party demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Mr. Wangchuk has rejected calls to end the strike. He said, "Don't ask me to end my fast. Ask the Govt why they won't even have a dialogue." Other figures including Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee have also urged him to stop the fast.
