NEW DELHI: As Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike entered its 20th day on Friday, a group of academics, filmmakers and civil society activists appealed to the climate activist to end his fast, describing him as “our collective conscience” and urging the government to initiate dialogue with him.The joint appeal, signed by more than 60 prominent personalities, included Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee, authors Amitav Ghosh, Arundhati Roy and Kiran Desai, as well as filmmakers Zoya Akhtar, Honey Trehan and Vishal Bhardwaj.Calling Wangchuk “a great protector and ally of the environment and of young people in India”, the signatories urged him to end his indefinite fast.“Sonamji, we appeal to you to end your fast. You are too precious to lose in this tragic way. Your sacrifice and courage have inspired people around the world,” the appeal said.The group also appealed to the Centre to open discussions with Wangchuk and “honour the spirit of public service that he represents”.In a separate statement, another group of academics, including historians and scholars Romila Thapar, Prabhat Patnaik, Utsa Patnaik, Zoya Hasan and Neera Chandhoke, questioned Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s silence on the ongoing protests.The academics pointed out that several students had also joined the hunger strike and warned that their health was deteriorating.“Many students are also on hunger strike. Their lives too are in danger. If anything happens to them, then posterity will hold you squarely responsible for it, and deem your conduct to be utterly dishonourable for clinging to office by sacrificing precious lives.”“On the other hand, it would be an honourable act if you resigned as education minister, owning moral responsibility for the government’s failures,” they wrote.Friday marked the 20th day of Wangchuk’s fast. According to the latest medical bulletin, he has lost more than nine kilograms since beginning the protest and remains under close medical supervision.Doctors have warned of increasing muscle loss and the possibility of organ damage if the hunger strike continues.(With PTI inputs)
