16 July,2026 05:07 PM IST | Srinagar | mid-day online correspondent
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. File pic
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday expressed concern over the deteriorating health of activist Sonam Wangchuk and urged the Centre to make efforts to persuade him to end his indefinite hunger strike, saying politics should leave room for humanity and compassion.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Abdullah said Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for nearly three weeks over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the demand for the resignation or removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He said the Centre should initiate dialogue with the activist instead of remaining silent as his health continues to deteriorate.
The chief minister noted that Wangchuk has reportedly lost around 9 kg during the fast and said it was surprising that no attempt had been made by the government to appeal to him to end the protest.
"Politics has its place, but somewhere there should also be a place for humanity and compassion," Abdullah said, adding that the government should have reached out to Wangchuk and encouraged him to end his fast through dialogue.
Drawing a comparison with the Anna Hazare-led anti-corruption movement during the UPA government, Abdullah recalled that then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had deputed ministers to engage with the protesters and persuade them to end their hunger strike. He said no similar effort has been made in Wangchuk's case so far.
Abdullah also backed the protesters' demand for accountability over the alleged NEET irregularities, saying their demand for justice was not wrong and deserved attention. He questioned why the Centre had not responded to the concerns raised by those participating in the agitation.
The Cockroach Janta Party has been protesting for more than 25 days, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Wangchuk joined the protest on June 28 and has remained on an indefinite hunger strike since then.
The protest has drawn support from several opposition leaders and activists, who have called for greater accountability and transparency in the conduct of competitive examinations. The alleged irregularities in NEET have triggered widespread political debate, with opposition parties repeatedly seeking action from the Centre.
Separately, Abdullah criticised political leaders for making political statements outside the residence of his late uncle and former minister Mustafa Kamal after offering condolences to the bereaved family. He said mourning should be respected and that politics should not overshadow moments of personal grief.
(With inputs from PTI)
