Politics must have room for humanity, says Omar, questions govt's silence on Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday urged that politics must accommodate compassion, criticizing the central government for its inaction regarding activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 19 days.

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The Education Minister should either resign or be removed from his post.

Abdullah told reporters that the Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, should either resign or be removed from his post, aligning himself with the Ladhakhi activist and other protesters at Jantar Mantar. He noted that Wangchuk's sole demand is Pradhan's resignation.

"The surprising thing is that it has been 18 days, perhaps the 19th day is going on. He has lost around 9 kgs, and it is affecting his health. But the government is not budging, not appealing to him in any way to stop his hunger strike. Politics has its place, but somewhere there should also be a place for humanity and compassion," Abdullah stated.

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The surprising thing is that it has been 18 days, perhaps the 19th day is going on. He has lost around 9 kgs, and it is affecting his health. But the government is not budging, not appealing to him in any way to stop his hunger strike. Politics has its place, but somewhere there should also be a place for humanity and compassion.

Comparing the Centre's approach to the Anna Hazare-led protest during the UPA rule, Abdullah recalled that then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had sent ministers to persuade protesters to end their hunger strike and engage in dialogue. "But no attempt has been made yet to talk to Wangchuk. We don't know what the government's attitude will be in the coming days, but we are definitely concerned about Wangchuk's health," he said.

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But no attempt has been made yet to talk to Wangchuk. We don't know what the government's attitude will be in the coming days, but we are definitely concerned about Wangchuk's health.

Abdullah also mentioned that if his uncle, National Conference leader Mustafa Kamal, had not passed away, someone from his party would have joined Wangchuk's protest. He added that the protestors' demands are not unjust and that while many politicians have visited, the government's lack of attention to these issues is puzzling. The Cockroach Janta Party has been protesting for over 25 days, demanding Pradhan's resignation due to alleged irregularities and a paper leak in the NEET examination. Wangchuk joined the protest on June 28 and has been on a hunger strike since then.

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If we weren't involved in our own grief here, perhaps one of us would have gone there and expressed our support for him. But he is not on a hunger strike to listen to what we say. He needs an assurance from the government.