Snehashish roy
Actor Kavita Kaushik has voiced her concern after education reformer and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was removed from Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protest site and shifted to Safdarjung Hospital during his ongoing hunger strike. Reacting to the development, the television actor urged Delhi Police to exercise restraint and compassion, saying students protesting alongside Wangchuk should not be subjected to force.
Wangchuk was taken to the hospital on the 21st day of his indefinite fast after his health deteriorated. According to Delhi Police, the decision was based on medical advice and in line with directions to safeguard his health. However, the move triggered protests from supporters, who alleged that the activist was removed against his wishes. The incident has intensified the ongoing debate over the handling of the student-led movement seeking reforms in the country’s examination system.
Sharing her thoughts on social media, Kavita appealed directly to the police, asking them not to use force against young protesters. “Mere desh ke bachchon par haath mat uthana” (Please do not raise your hands against the children of my country), she wrote, while urging the authorities to deal with the situation peacefully and with empathy. She also appealed to police personnel to remember that the protesters were students voicing concerns about their future.
The actor further expressed solidarity with Wangchuk and the students participating in the protests. She emphasised that disagreements should be resolved through dialogue rather than confrontation and said peaceful demonstrations deserve to be heard. Her message quickly gained traction online, with many users praising her appeal for restraint, while others continued to debate the government’s response to the protests.
Wangchuk began his hunger strike on June 28 in support of students protesting alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET paper leak controversy. The activist has demanded greater accountability, transparency and reforms in the examination system. His campaign has drawn support from students, activists and public figures across the country, becoming one of the most talked-about protest movements in recent weeks.
Following Wangchuk’s hospitalisation, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been spearheading the protests, announced that the movement would continue. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke launched his own indefinite hunger strike and reiterated plans for a protest march, maintaining that the campaign’s demands remain unchanged despite Wangchuk’s removal from the protest site.
The issue has also prompted reactions from several members of the entertainment industry. Actors and filmmakers including Vishal Dadlani, Prakash Raj, Vidya Malavade, Shekhar Suman, Aamir Khan and Imran Khan have either questioned the manner in which Wangchuk was removed or expressed support for his campaign and concern over his health. Their statements have amplified public discussion surrounding the protests and the broader issue of examination reforms.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police have maintained that Wangchuk’s transfer to the hospital was necessary because of his deteriorating medical condition. Doctors at Safdarjung Hospital have stated that the activist is stable but remains weak after nearly three weeks of fasting and continues to receive medical supervision. Authorities have insisted that the intervention was aimed solely at protecting his health.
As protests continue, the movement has evolved beyond the immediate controversy surrounding the alleged examination irregularities, with participants calling for systemic reforms and greater accountability in India’s education system. Demonstrators have vowed to continue their campaign, while authorities remain on alert ahead of further planned protests in the national capital.
Kavita Kaushik’s statement adds another prominent voice from the entertainment industry to the growing calls for a peaceful resolution. While the debate over the handling of Wangchuk’s protest continues, her appeal has underscored the importance of compassion, dialogue and restraint in responding to peaceful demonstrations involving students and civil society.