Actor Salman Khan urges Sonam Wangchuk to end hunger strike

IBNS-CMEDIA: A day after backing the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest over the NEET paper leak, actor Salman Khan has appealed to activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike, saying the students’ concerns have been heard and action has been promised.

In a post on social media, Khan urged Wangchuk to preserve his health and even offered to send him home-cooked food.

“Sonam, it’s done, bro. Don’t extend this. Keep the spirit for another day if there is a need, which I doubt, and eat something. If you want, I will send you food from home,” he wrote.

Wangchuk, known for his work in transforming education in Ladakh, has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28, demanding accountability over paper leaks and reforms to India’s education system.

‘Students need not worry’: Salman Khan

Addressing students participating in the protests, the actor said they should now return to their families, expressing confidence that the government would take strict action against those responsible for the paper leak.

“The students are at the top priority, educationally and security-wise, so they need not worry and have their parents worried for them. The Honorable Prime Minister has tweeted, and I am sure that he will take strict action against all those people who are responsible for this leak. So students, please go back to your parents and homes,” Khan said.

Warns against politicising the movement

In an earlier Instagram post, Salman Khan had extended support to the protesting students while cautioning against political parties taking over their movement.

Calling the protesters “courageous and brave”, he said the campaign should remain focused on educational reforms rather than political gains.

“This issue is between the students and the educational system. It should not be hijacked politically. The credit should only go to the students of our country… I’m sure the government will also support them and make it a stronger educational system. It’s a win-win situation,” he wrote.

Celebrities rally behind students

Several prominent actors have voiced support for the students’ movement in recent days, including Omi Vaidya, Zeenat Aman, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Abhay Deol, Sonakshi Sinha and Riteish Deshmukh.

Kareena Kapoor also backed the students, saying she could no longer stay silent.

She said education gives children hope only when they believe hard work and merit truly matter, adding that no student should have to question whether honesty and effort are enough to succeed.

“When an entire generation speaks with one voice about its own future, listening isn’t a courtesy we extend. It’s an obligation we owe them,” she said in a statement on Instagram.

Malayalam superstar Mammootty echoed similar sentiments, describing young people as the country’s greatest strength.

“The youth are the true treasure of our nation. Listen to their voices. Protect them. Empower them,” he posted on X.