Srinagar, July 16: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday expressed concern over the Centre’s response to activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar, saying the government’s “indifferent attitude” was disappointing despite the deterioration in Wangchuk’s health.
Speaking to reporters, Omar said there had been no visible effort from the Union Government to engage with Wangchuk or persuade him to end his fast, which entered its 19th day on Thursday.
“The government’s attitude is one of complete indifference. There has been no response and no attempt to persuade Sonam Wangchuk to end his fast, even though he is fighting what he believes is a just struggle,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister said humanitarian considerations should take precedence over political differences.
“Politics is one thing, but we should also look at these issues through the prism of humanity,” he said.
Drawing a comparison with the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, Omar recalled that then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had deputed senior ministers to engage with anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare when he undertook a hunger strike in New Delhi.
“When Anna Hazare was on a fast, the then government sent ministers to Leela Maidan to speak to him and his associates and persuade them to end their agitation. That kind of outreach is completely missing today,” he said.
Referring to Wangchuk’s health, Omar said the activist had reportedly lost around nine kilograms during the course of his fast and that his condition had deteriorated, yet the government had remained silent.
“Sonam Wangchuk has lost about nine kilograms, his health has deteriorated, and still there is no response from the government,” he said.
Wangchuk has been observing an indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar under the banner of Cockroach Janata Party against the NEET paper leak demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
