Bollywood figures including Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao have expressed public support for activist Sonam Wangchuk during his hunger strike in Delhi.
The involvement of high-profile celebrities brings international visibility to Wangchuk's demands and increases pressure on the Indian government regarding education reform. The strike focuses on alleged examination irregularities and broader policy grievances.
Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for 19 days [1] at Jantar Mantar. The activist is demanding the resignation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Supporters said the move is necessary to address systemic failures in the education system.
Kiran Rao stood in solidarity with Wangchuk and said the silence surrounding the issue is distressing. Aamir Khan also issued a message to the activist to show his support.
The situation has sparked a social media debate regarding the inspiration for the film "3 Idiots." Reports on the connection between the movie and Wangchuk vary. One source said that Khan denies his character was based on the activist, while another source said Khan clarified a link between the two.
Wangchuk continues to protest at Jantar Mantar as the celebrity-led campaign for Pradhan's resignation grows. The activists said that the current leadership in the education ministry is unable to resolve the ongoing irregularities.
“Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao join calls for Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.”
The alignment of Bollywood stars with a political hunger strike signals a shift in how cultural influencers in India engage with specific policy disputes. By targeting a Union Minister, the protest moves beyond general activism into a direct challenge of government personnel, utilizing celebrity reach to amplify demands for accountability in the national education system.
