Preity Zinta extends support to CJP protesters, urges govt to initiate talks with Sonam Wangchuk: ‘Please end your fast’
Sonam Wangchuk has been on an indefinite fast since June 28 over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
Bollywood actress Preity Zinta on Tuesday urged the government to initiate a “meaningful dialogue” with Sonam Wangchuk and the students protesting at Jantar Mantar to prevent the activist's health from deteriorating further.
Wangchuk has been on an indefinite fast since June 28 over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Delhi Police reportedly whisked Wangchuk away from the protest site at Jantar Mantar and forcibly shifted him to Safdarjung Hospital on the 21st day of his hunger strike.
Taking to X, Zinta wrote, “I hope our govt starts a meaningful dialogue with Sonam Wangchuk and the student bodies so his health does not deteriorate any further!”
Quick answers to key questions
Sonam Wangchuk is on an indefinite hunger strike to protest alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and to seek accountability and improvements in the educational system.
Preity Zinta has publicly expressed her support for CJP protesters and urged the government to engage in meaningful dialogue with them to ensure the health of Sonam Wangchuk and the progress of their demands.
The CJP protesters are primarily demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET exam irregularities and that educational issues be prioritized in discussions with the government.
The Delhi Police have denied allegations of brutality and misconduct during the protests, insisting that claims of violence and injury, including those involving minors, are false and misleading.
The government, represented by Union Minister JP Nadda, engaged in initial discussions with CJP leaders, although no concrete solutions or responses to their demands were provided during the meetings.
She also urged Wangchuk to end his fast, saying that his health is as important as his fight. “Please end your fast Sonam. Your health is as important as this fight.”
“You and the students are fighting for the future of India and for our youth. My heartfelt & unwavering support to every student & to Sonam in this fight to uplift & upgrade our educational system,” Zinta wrote. “More power to all of you. Jai Hind”
Govt wasted our time: Dipke on talks with Nadda
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Tuesday questioned the government's design behind starting talks with his outfit, saying it was engaging in dialogue with CJP while simultaneously carrying out a police crackdown on protesters.
"The government wasted our time. They invited our delegation. They seized their mobiles. Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were, in a way, under house arrest at J P Nadda's residence," Dipke said addressing supporters at Jantar Mantar, where the protest over the NEET paper leak issue entered its 32nd day.
"The whole plan was to scatter the team, so that when there is chaos, no one is there. That is why they kept them sitting for five hours and wasted our time. You call for talks on one hand, and unleash batons on students on the other hand," he alleged.
The Centre has not responded to the allegations.
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