16 July,2026 09:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Vivek Oberoi. Pic via Instagram
Vivek Oberoi was recently asked about Sonam Wangchuk's ongoing hunger strike. The actor reacted, saying he avoids commenting on political matters since he is an actor and not a politician. He added that people must be allowed to raise their concerns in a healthy democracy. Meanwhile, several Bollywood and TV celebs have come forward to extend their support.
During an interaction with the media, Vivek was asked about Wangchuk's protest going on at Jantar Mantar. Vivek avoided commenting on the specific demands and described himself as an observer who learns from developments around him.
Responding to the query, Vivek said, "Yaar main abhineta hu, neta nahi hu. Toh main political cheezon pe dhyaan nahi deta hun. Hum toh observe karte hai, seekhte hai. Life mein bohot kuch dekhne aur seekhne ko mil raha hai."
When asked what he had observed about the protest, the actor stated that public expression of differing views was itself an important part of democracy. "Observe ye kiya hai ki ye bhi ek nayi cheez thi aur mujhe lagta hai ek healthy democracy mein har awaaz ko apni jagah milti hai. Ye logo ne agar apni awaaz vyakt ki hai toh ye healthy democracy ka sign hai," he said.
Although Vivek did not support or oppose the protesters' demands, he stuck to defending the democratic space of citizens who wish to express their grievances. For the unversed, Vivek has been a vocal supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He even actively campaigned for the party and was officially named a BJP star campaigner during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Wangchuk began his indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on June 28. The educator and climate activist, along with the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party, is demanding accountability over alleged examination paper leaks and irregularities in NEET examinations.
The protesters are seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, reforms in the current examination system and compensation for families of students who died by suicide. They have also announced a march towards Parliament on July 20.
By July 16, which marked the nineteenth day of his fast, Wangchuk had reportedly lost more than nine kilograms. The Delhi High Court has meanwhile directed the authorities to regularly monitor his condition and intervene if doctors find that his health is deteriorating.
