Uddhav Thackeray appeals to Sonam Wangchuk to withdraw fast

Shiv Sena UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray on Monday (July 13, 2026) appealed to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to call off her hunger strike while supporting her cause. This development comes as Mr Wangchuk’s health has deteriorated while he is on an indefinite hunger strike in New Delhi against allegations of examination irregularities.

Uddhav Thackeray supported the Cockroach Janta Party’s march to the parliament on July 20. He also appealed to political leaders of other parties, including Rahul Gandhi, to support the march for the future of the country’s youth.

Mr Thackeray lashed out at the government for not contacting Mr Wangchuk for a meeting. “There is no shame in asking for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and handing over the post to someone more capable,” Mr Thackeray said at a press conference in Mumbai on Monday (July 13).

Cockroach expressed concern over Janata Party founder Abhijit Dipke’s claim that the party was planning to send goons to disrupt the protest march to Parliament on July 20. “This is a reprehensible situation. Who is he fighting for? The people of the country need to think. This is not a political issue, it is the country’s issue. Unless the country wakes up, the rulers will not understand their responsibilities,” he said.

Accusing the government of lack of sensitivity in handling the protest, he recalled Anna Hazare’s agitation two decades ago when the Manmohan Singh government sent high-level delegations to persuade Anna to withdraw her hunger strike.

Mr. Wangchuk has been on hunger strike for more than 16 days. “What does he want? Has the government met Sonam Wangchuk? I sent my party’s MP Arvind Sawant to meet her. I also appealed to her to withdraw her hunger strike,” he said.

For the future of students

Expressing concern over the government’s inaction on allegations of exam irregularities, he said no serious action has been taken in the NEET exam scam case, but the epicenter has been found to be Maharashtra.

“Students died by suicide after NEET exams. Abhijit Dipke is leading an agitation for them. Even parents should think about the future of their children. I support Abhijit Dipke’s agitation. I give full support to Sonam Wangchuk,” Mr. Thackeray said.