Zeenat Aman backs Sonam Wangchuk on Day 17 of hunger strike
Synopsis
On Day 17 of Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, veteran actress Zeenat Aman has issued a pointed public appeal — not just of solidarity, but of accountability. Her Instagram post quotes Wangchuk directly and calls on the government to act before 'one of India's greatest minds' pays an irreversible price.
Key Takeaways
Zeenat Aman publicly backed Sonam Wangchuk on 14 July , urging the Indian government to open dialogue.
Wangchuk is on Day 17 of an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi , reportedly losing muscle mass and in 'immense pain.' The protest is linked to demands for educational reforms in India , initiated in association with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) .
Wangchuk is the founder of SECMOL , inventor of the ice stupa , and the real-life inspiration for Phunsuk Wangdu in 3 Idiots .
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has also expressed support while appealing to Wangchuk to end his fast.
The government had not publicly responded to dialogue demands as of the time of this report.
Veteran actress Zeenat Aman has publicly backed climate activist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk, urging the Indian government to open dialogue as Wangchuk entered the 17th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. The appeal, shared on her Instagram handle on 14 July, drew fresh attention to a protest that has visibly begun to take a toll on Wangchuk's health.
What Zeenat Aman Said
Posting an image of Wangchuk on Instagram, Aman cited reports that the activist 'has started losing muscle mass and is in immense pain.' She quoted Wangchuk's own words when asked to end his fast: 'Don't ask me to end my fast. Ask the government why they won't even have a dialogue.'
Aman described Wangchuk as the founder of SECMOL, the inventor of the ice stupa, a pioneer of educational reform in Ladakh, and a dedicated environmental activist. She also noted that he was the real-life inspiration for the beloved Bollywood character 'Phunsuk Wangdu', portrayed by Aamir Khan in 3 Idiots.
'By all accounts Mr. Wangchuk is a brilliant and conscientious man, one that has been recognised globally for his social impact with umpteen prestigious awards,' she wrote.
Her Appeal to the Government
Aman's note went beyond celebrity solidarity. 'With respect to Mr. Wangchuk's wishes, I implore the Indian government to open dialogue on this matter that concerns the future of all India,' she wrote. 'We must not become a society that sits back and watches one of its greatest minds be sacrificed.'
She invoked India's history of peaceful protest, arguing that those in power are 'obliged to meet such protest with peaceful dialogue.'
The Hunger Strike: Background and Demands
Wangchuk has been fasting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for 17 days, with the protest linked to demands for educational reforms in India, initiated in association with the online satirical group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). His prolonged fast has triggered growing concern among activists, public figures, and civil society groups.
Notably, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has also extended support to Wangchuk's cause, while simultaneously appealing to him to end the fast. The government has not publicly responded to demands for dialogue as of the time of this report.
Who Is Sonam Wangchuk
Wangchuk is widely recognised as one of India's most innovative social entrepreneurs. He founded SECMOL (Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh), developed the ice stupa technique to create artificial glaciers for water conservation, and has received multiple international awards for his work in education and environmental sustainability. His story inspired the fictional character Phunsuk Wangdu in the 2009 blockbuster 3 Idiots, directed by Rajkumar Hirani.
As Wangchuk's health deteriorates, pressure is mounting on the government to respond — and the voices speaking up are growing louder.
Point of View
But for its specificity — she quotes Wangchuk's own challenge to the government, names his achievements, and frames the silence as a moral failure. What mainstream coverage often misses is that Wangchuk's protest is not a fringe agitation: it draws on a globally recognised figure whose credibility is difficult to dismiss. The government's continued silence is itself a political choice, and with figures from Bollywood to opposition politics now speaking up, that silence is becoming harder to sustain. The real question is whether public pressure translates into actual dialogue, or whether this follows the familiar pattern of celebrity solidarity that fades before policy changes.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Sonam Wangchuk on a hunger strike?
Sonam Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for 17 days, demanding educational reforms in India. The protest was initiated in association with the online satirical group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), and Wangchuk has stated he will not end his fast until the government agrees to dialogue.
What did Zeenat Aman say about Sonam Wangchuk?
Zeenat Aman posted on Instagram urging the Indian government to open dialogue with Wangchuk, warning that India 'must not become a society that sits back and watches one of its greatest minds be sacrificed.' She cited his achievements as founder of SECMOL, inventor of the ice stupa, and the inspiration behind the 3 Idiots character Phunsuk Wangdu.
Who else has supported Sonam Wangchuk's protest?
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has extended support to Wangchuk's cause while also appealing to him to end his hunger strike. Zeenat Aman is among the public figures who have raised their voice as the protest enters its 17th day.
What is Sonam Wangchuk known for?
Sonam Wangchuk is the founder of SECMOL (Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh), inventor of the ice stupa technique for artificial glaciers, and a globally recognised environmental and educational activist. He was the real-life inspiration for the character Phunsuk Wangdu played by Aamir Khan in the 2009 film 3 Idiots.
Has the government responded to Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike?
As of the time of this report, the Indian government had not publicly responded to demands for dialogue. Wangchuk himself, when asked to end his fast, reportedly said: 'Don't ask me to end my fast. Ask the government why they won't even have a dialogue.'
