Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday questioned the silence of Centre over the climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike.
Omar said Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike and it seems that Central government was not concerned on the issue.
“It has been 19 days since he has been on a hunger strike. As far as I know, he has only one demand: that the education minister should either resign or should be removed from his post over the NEET paper leak… He has already lost around nine kilograms and it is affecting his health. The government seems not to budge an inch and appeal him to end his fast,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister said politics should never overshadow humanity and compassion.
“Politics should have a place for humanity and mercy,” he said.
Drawing a comparison with the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, Omar said the then union government had sent ministers to hold talks with the veteran activist during his hunger strike.
“When Dr. Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister, ministers were sent to speak with Anna Hazare and persuade him to end his fast. So far, no such effort has been made to engage with Sonam Wangchuk,” he said, adding they don’t know what the government will do in the future on this issue.
“But we are concerned about Sonam’s health,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that many people had joined the protest with Wangchuk because they believed the demand for justice was genuine.
“Their demand is not wrong, but unfortunately the government is not paying attention,” he said.
The Chief Minister also criticised political leaders who visited his family to offer condolences following the death of his uncle, Mustafa Kamal, alleging that some were doing politics.
“This house is in grief. If people come to offer condolences, they should not step outside and indulge in politics. It feels strange, and I will not discuss politics here,” he said.
