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Actor Omi Vaidya, who played the memorable role of Chatur Ramalingam in 3 Idiots, has expressed support for educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

In a video shared on social media on Tuesday, July 14, Vaidya appealed to the public to pay attention to Wangchuk’s deteriorating health and the issues he is raising through his protest.

Introducing himself as “Chatur from 3 Idiots,” Vaidya said, “I don’t want Phunsukh Wangdu to die,” referring to Aamir Khan’s character in the film, which was loosely inspired by Sonam Wangchuk.

Vaidya recalls meeting with Wangchuk

Vaidya recalled meeting Wangchuk and described him as a humble and inspiring individual. He said the activist had made significant contributions as an engineer, innovator and educator, encouraging people to learn more about his work.

Expressing concern over Wangchuk’s health, Vaidya said the activist’s blood sugar levels had dropped during the prolonged fast and urged people to take note of the situation.

The actor also highlighted the issues at the centre of Wangchuk’s protest, including education, Ladakh’s autonomy and environmental protection. He urged the public to understand the concerns being raised, regardless of whether they agreed with Wangchuk’s views.

The appeal came days after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is leading the protest, claimed that Wangchuk had lost nearly 9 kg since beginning his hunger strike and that his health had worsened.

Arundhati Roy, Naseeruddin Shah, other eminent persons urge CJP protesters to end hunger strike

A group of eminent citizens, including writer Arundhati Roy, actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, and economist Jayati Ghosh, appealed to protesters on indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to call off their fast, while extending full support to their demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

In a joint statement on Monday, the signatories said they were “immensely grateful” to the protesters for leading the agitation against the government but expressed deep concern over their worsening health.

“We salute your sense of purpose, the determination and courage with which you are spearheading this movement for students and youth across the country,” the statement said.

Appealing to the protesters to end their fast, they said, “We request you to please consider ending this hunger strike immediately in the interests of the longer and more difficult struggle ahead. This battle is a marathon, not a sprint, and we need you, your strength and leadership in the days to come.”

The signatories said they feared that the government’s alleged failure to respond to the demands could further jeopardise the health of those on hunger strike.

“We worry that their negligence in responding to your demands will only worsen the already fragile state of health that many of you are in,” they said.

The appeal came on the 24th day of the Cockroach Janta Party’s protest at Jantar Mantar and the 16th day of educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike.

According to the organisers, Wangchuk has lost 8.2 kilograms since he began fasting. His latest medical parameters showed a blood pressure of 107/70 mmHg and a blood glucose level of 67 mg/dL.

AISA activist Deepak, who was also on a hunger strike since June 28, was admitted to the RML Hospital on Monday after his health deteriorated.

The statement also appealed to the people of Delhi to participate in the CJP’s proposed march to Parliament on July 20, coinciding with the commencement of the monsoon session of Parliament.

Besides Roy, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah and Jayati Ghosh, the statement was signed by academics Anuradha Chenoy, Nivedita Menon, Tanika Sarkar and Aditya Nigam, filmmaker Sanjay Kak, activist Lalita Ramdas, Kavita Srivastava, feminist Madhu Bhushan and cultural practitioner Arundhati Ghosh.

The CJP has been holding a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and has been on an indefinite fast since then. The organisation has announced a march to Parliament on July 20.

(With excerpts from PTI)