Raj Thackeray Backs Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike, Urges Centre to Hold Dialogue

Brief By Newsbrief / 2:16 PM on 16 Jul 2026

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has expressed support for activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. In a detailed social media post, Thackeray voiced concern over Wangchuk's deteriorating health and appealed to the Central government to address his demands through dialogue. He said that in a democratic system, peaceful protests deserve attention and should not be ignored.

Referring to the reported 19th day of Wangchuk's fast, Thackeray said the images and health updates circulating on social media were worrying. He argued that remaining silent instead of engaging with peaceful protesters raises concerns about democratic values. The MNS leader also emphasised the importance of independent institutions and a free media, alleging that critical public issues are not receiving adequate attention. According to him, this weakens the visibility of movements centred on public interest.

Thackeray further noted that senior BJP leaders had previously praised Wangchuk for his work in renewable energy and his contributions to Ladakh. He said that after Wangchuk began raising issues related to Ladakh and citizens' rights, his concerns did not receive the expected response. In his post, Thackeray urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and seek a resolution through discussions. He also reiterated his party's support for transparent governance and democratic movements, while encouraging citizens to participate actively in democratic processes instead of limiting their engagement to social media.