Shekhar Soman expressed his support for Sonam Wangchuk, who was hospitalized after going on a 20-day hunger strike over Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s demand for resignation, and described him as a “truly alive person” amid the government’s silence. Suman had earlier criticized the government as well. Abhijit Debke of the Janata Party also began an indefinite hunger strike in solidarity with Wangchuk.
Shekhar Suman has extended his support to education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on Saturday morning after reports of his health deteriorating during his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
The actor and anchor raised the issue in the latest episode of Shekhar Tonight, which aired hours before the police action took place.
For more than 20 days, Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and alleging irregularities in the education system and competitive examinations.
Political satire remains central to Shekhar Suman’s show
Having recently returned to television with Shekhar Tonight, a contemporary reboot of his popular series Movers & Shakers, Suman has kept political satire at the heart of the show.
Along with celebrity interviews and current affairs segments, it is the opening monologue, where Suman gives his take on the most talked-about issues of the day, that has become a standout feature. In the latest episode, he turned his attention to the Wangchuk hunger strike, rebuking the government for remaining silent on the issue.He said: “Sonam Wanguk ji kay dinu se jantar mantar par shiksha mantri dharmendra pradhan ke istifi ki liye aanchan par peth hain.
Main hiraan hoon yeh dekh ki ki koi hiraan kyun nahin? Here’s the story of a samaaj ki behteri ke liye anshan par baitha hai, vidyarthiyon ke bhavishya ke liye anshan par baitha hai, shiksha ke charmaraate dhaanche ko sambhaalne ke liye anshan par baitha hai, aur vyavastha chain se leti hui hai.
Woh vyavastha jo na sirf goongi, behri aur samvedanheen hai, balki tang dil, sang dil aur bedil hai. That hue urjaheen shareer mein bhale hi shakti na ho, lekin desh ke laakhon yuvaon ki woh taakat hai.
Aur gaur se dekha jaaye, to hum sab zinda laashon mein woh ek akela jeevit hai. Main hairaan hoon yeh dekh ke ki koi hairaan kyun nahin?”.
Shekhar Suman had earlier raised this issue as well
Suman’s comments on the Wangchuk protest are not the first. Nearly two weeks ago, when the hunger strike began, he turned to sarcasm to comment on the issue and question the government’s response. He said, “Hale hi mein sonam wanjok sab sarkar ke khlaaf bhukh hartal par peth jaye, jasmin un hoon dharmendra pradhan ke istifi ke maang uthai hai.
Main sabse pehle a logon se sawaal karna chahta hoon jo bolte the ki loktantra khatre mein hai.
Kahan Hai Khater Who? Aapko sarkar Twitter par trend karne de rahi hai, bhookh hartaal par baithne de rahi hai, aandolan karne de rahi hai, jail jaane de rahi hai, aur kya chahiye? Bachi ki jaan log kya? Is there anything wrong with what happens next? Loktantra ka matlab sunna hi to hota hai, maanna kab se ho gaya? Wanghcuk ji bhi badi ajeeb hain.
It’s better for me than anything else. Isa kya ho gaya? How many lakhs of people have come to this place? Kisi ne Coaching ke liye ghar hi to girvi rakh dia, kisi ke maata-pita ne zevar hi to bech diye, kisi ne polla ek saal band kamre mein hi to guzaara, aur kuch bees-ikkees bachchon ne aatmahatya hi to kar li. Bas, ab itni si baat par agar mantri istifa dene lage, to phir har saal naya mantri shapath leta dikhega. Uska aadha samay shapath lene mein jaayega, aur aadha istifa dene mein.
To Vikas Kahaan Si Aega, Pattai? Kuch bhi mat poochhiye. Just shut up.”
cockroach Janata Party The founder begins his hunger strike
Abhijit Debke, founder of the Janata Party, also launched a fresh protest in response to the developments in Jantar Mantar. A few hours after Wangchuk was taken to Safdarjung Hospital, Debki revealed that he had begun an indefinite hunger strike, in solidarity with the activist. “I am embarking on an indefinite hunger strike starting now,” Debke wrote in a post on X.