As Sonam WangchukтАЩs fast (seeking accountability of Education Minister) enters its 18th day & his health deteriorates, & the BJP & govt remains apathetic, it is important for all opposition leaders & all celebrities to come to Jantar Mantar to show their visible support for his cause
An Open Letter to the Jantar Mantar protestors:
My dear young friends,
I address you today not as a politician or an MP, but as someone deeply troubled by what is happening to your generation of young Indians.
This is personal for me. I was born to a middle-class family: my father was a salaried newspaper employee, my mother a homemaker, with three children to educate on one income. For a family like ours, merit was not a slogan. Scholarships, fair examinations, honest results тАФ these were the only way one salary could carry three children's dreams.
I went to school in Mumbai and Kolkata, to college here in Delhi, topped the University and earned admission into IIM тАФ and chose instead to follow my passion for international affairs, in America, on a scholarship. Nothing was inherited; everything was earned by hard work and yes, Exams.
So I know that a fair, merit-based system is the only ladder for young people from lower and middle-income families to climb up. When that ladder is broken тАФ papers leaked, examinations cancelled, trust destroyed тАФ the children of the rich and powerful do not suffer. They have other ladders. It is your dreams, and your families' sacrifices (and tragically, in some homes, young lives themselves) that are betrayed.
To the young people gathered at Jantar Mantar, and those raising your voices peacefully across India: this country hears you. Your anger is not indiscipline тАФ it is the anguish of a generation that did everything right and was still betrayed . You are not alone.
And to the millions of young Indians watching quietly: your generation is not a problem to be managed. You are the answer to India's future. Do not lose hope. This ladder will be rebuilt тАФ by you, and by every Indian who stands with you.
To Shri Sonam Wangchuk-ji, my heartfelt appeal: please end your fast. You have awakened the conscience of the nation; that is what a fast is meant to do. India needs your voice for the long road ahead.
With Parliament in session again from Monday, we will have an opportunity to raise the studentsтАЩ issues in the highest forum of our democracy. ThatтАЩs where the problem should be addressed, not by fasting unto death. Please heed my plea.
And finally, to the Government: I respectfully urge you to reach out and engage in the dialogue our democracy owes its young citizens. That is not weakness; that is statesmanship.
Zeenat Aman, '3 Idiots' Actor Omi Vaidya Rally in Sonam Wangchuk's Support
'We must not become a society that sits back and watches one of its greatest minds be sacrificed.'
https://t.co/5cDJajRv75
@amitkilhor Why these influencers are so afraid of government? ArenтАЩt they paying taxes? ArenтАЩt they earning money legally? What is stopping them to talk about things which is bad for the country?
Dear @Wangchuk66 sir , your fight has already awakened millions. Please don't let this government's silence cost India your life. You are precious to us. Break your hunger strike please ЁЯЩПЁЯП╗ЁЯЩПЁЯП╗ . We need your voice, not your sacrifice.
If a 17-day peaceful fast demanding accountability for the NEET paper leak cannot move this heartless government, then it is time for the entire Opposition to leave their ego aside and the comfort of TV studios and Parliament and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar.
@RahulGandhi@kharge@priyankagandhi@AamAadmiParty@ArvindKejriwal@MamataOfficial@AITCofficial@MKStalin@arivalayam@yadavakhilesh@samajwadiparty@UdhavThackeray@ShivSenaUBT_ @SanjayRautMP @RJDforIndia@laluprasadrjd@derekobrienmp
this is the moment to unite and demand accountability. A peaceful movement should never be met with indifference. Dear @RahulGandhi, unite #ChhatroKiGoonj with @Wangchuk66's peaceful protest. Rise above politics. Please go and convince him to break his fast because Modi won't care of sonams's life is lost, I know you value such intelligence people so please go and stand with him and humble request to you to convince him to break his fast , and march together to Parliament for justice and accountability. India needs unity, not silence. Unite the #ChhatroKiGoonj with Sonam Wangchuk plz
#ISupportSonamWangchuk #NEETPaperLeak #JusticeForStudents #StandWithSonamWangchuk
Sonam Wangchuk Continues Hunger Strike as Debate Around Dharmendra Pradhan Intensifies Scientist and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk has continued his indefinite hunger strike, demanding accountability over the alleged examination irregularities and seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Look fellas, it doesn't matter what anyone's political inclination is.
But a society shall not climb down to cruelty or lose its conscience.
Say anything, but the cause is suicide of students and exam integrity.
It cannot be appreciated that govt is turning a blind eye to it.
Engagement with dissent is minimum constitutional obligation of Govts.
A society that let people die of hunger strike for exam integrity is not doing itself a favour.