Centre Should Appeal to Sonam Wangchuk to End Fast, Says CM Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Jul 16: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday expressed concern over the health of activist Sonam Wangchuk, urging the Centre to appeal to him to end his indefinite hunger strike, saying there should be room for humanity and compassion even in politics. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Abdullah said Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for nearly three weeks over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the demand for the resignation or removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. “He has been on a hunger strike for many days. As far as I know, his demand is that action should be taken over the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, which caused immense anxiety and hardship for students,” the Chief Minister said. Abdullah expressed surprise that the Central Government had not made any effort to persuade Wangchuk to end his fast despite reports of his deteriorating health. “It has been around 19 days. He has reportedly lost nearly nine kilograms, and his health is being affected. Politics has its place, but there should also be some room for humanity and compassion. The Government should have at least appealed to him to end his fast,” he said. Drawing a comparison with the Anna Hazare movement during the UPA government, Abdullah said the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had initiated dialogue by sending ministers to engage with the protesters and persuade them to end their fast. “But in this case, no attempt has been made so far to talk to Wangchuk. We are genuinely concerned about his health,” he added. The Chief Minister said the protesters’ demand for justice over the NEET issue was legitimate and deserved attention. “When they are demanding justice over the NEET examination, we believe their demand is justified. I don’t understand why the Government is not paying attention to the issue,” he said. Wangchuk joined the protest launched by the Cockroach Janta Party on June 28 and has been on an indefinite hunger strike since then, demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Abdullah also criticised attempts to politicise the condolence gathering at the residence of his late uncle and former minister Mustafa Kamal, who passed away earlier this week. He said those visiting the bereaved family should refrain from political remarks out of respect for the atmosphere of mourning. “If you come to offer condolences, don’t indulge in politics outside the house. There should be some dignity and sensitivity at a time of grief,” the Chief Minister said.