Celebrity Support Grows for Sonam Wangchuk as Hunger Strike Intensifies

Celebrities and political leaders rally behind Sonam Wangchuk as his hunger strike enters a critical phase.

As educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike enters a critical stage, support from India’s entertainment industry continues to grow. What began with a handful of voices has now evolved into a broad show of solidarity, with actors, filmmakers, musicians, and public figures urging the government to engage in dialogue as concerns mount over Wangchuk’s deteriorating health.

Wangchuk began his hunger strike on June 28 in support of the youth-led protest demanding accountability over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 examination paper leak. Refusing food for more than three weeks, the activist remained at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar despite repeated appeals to end his fast.

His condition worsened significantly on the 21st day, prompting Delhi Police to shift him to Safdarjung Hospital, citing medical advice and a Delhi High Court order. The move sparked criticism from supporters, who alleged that he was taken against his wishes. On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court permitted Wangchuk’s transfer to a private hospital after his family raised concerns over his treatment and continued detention.

Bollywood Unites Behind Sonam Wangchuk’s Protest

The developments have triggered an unprecedented response from the film fraternity.

Among the earliest major Bollywood stars to back Wangchuk was Hrithik Roshan, who shared an emotional message supporting the activist’s call for transparency and justice in the education system. Drawing parallels with his role as a teacher in Super 30, Roshan said the issues raised by Wangchuk deserved attention and urged people to stand with students seeking a fair future.

Music composer and singer Vishal Dadlani also emerged as one of Wangchuk’s strongest supporters. After police shifted the activist to hospital, Dadlani condemned the action, calling it “a shame” and questioning why dialogue had not replaced confrontation. His remarks quickly gained traction on social media, amplifying public attention to the protest.

Veteran actor Zeenat Aman joined the growing chorus of support, expressing concern for Wangchuk’s health and urging authorities to respond to his demands with empathy rather than silence. Her message added another prominent voice to the campaign, which has increasingly transcended political boundaries.

Sonakshi Sinha, Prakash Raj Among New Voices Supporting Wangchuk

In the last few days, even more Bollywood personalities have stepped forward. Sonakshi Sinha released an emotional video saying she could no longer remain silent while Wangchuk’s health continued to decline. Asking, “Why is nobody listening?”, she appealed to the government to open a dialogue before it was too late. Wangchuk’s team later publicly thanked Sonakshi for her support.

Joining her was Omi Vaidya, remembered for playing Chatur in 3 Idiots—the film inspired in part by Wangchuk’s life and work. Vaidya voiced his solidarity with the activist, prompting Wangchuk’s team to acknowledge and thank him publicly.

Several other actors have also expressed support, including Imran Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Aditi Rao Hydari, all of whom urged authorities to engage with Wangchuk before his health deteriorated further. Their statements reflected a growing concern that the issue had moved beyond politics and become one of public accountability and student welfare.

Support has also poured in from the South Indian film industry. Actor Prakash Raj strongly criticized the authorities after Wangchuk was forcibly taken to hospital, while filmmaker Pa. Ranjith extended his solidarity with the protest. National Award-winning actor Parvathy Thiruvothu also backed Wangchuk, calling for greater public attention to the issues he has raised. Together, their support has helped broaden the movement beyond North India and into regional cinema circles.

Political Leaders Join Growing Support for Sonam Wangchuk

Outside the entertainment industry, several opposition leaders have also come out in support of Wangchuk. Leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Shashi Tharoor, Mahua Moitra, Atishi, and Dimple Yadav have publicly expressed concern over his health and called for constructive dialogue rather than confrontation, reflecting the widening political attention surrounding the protest.

Despite his hospitalization, Wangchuk’s supporters have continued demonstrations in Delhi, insisting that the protest will continue until the government responds to the demands being raised. With every passing day, the list of public figures backing the activist continues to grow, transforming what began as a student-focused movement into a national conversation on educational accountability, democratic protest, and the government’s response to dissent.

Source-Medindia