'Sonam, it's done bro': Salman Khan's hunger strike comment finally gets a reply from Sonam Wangchuk. 'Must have been compulsions'

The controversy over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak had led to student protests, with concerns being raised over the examination system, the future of students and action against those responsible for the reported leak. Amid the protests, activist, educator and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike in Delhi in solidarity with the students and their demands.

It was during this period that Salman Khan spoke about the protests on social media. The actor initially supported the students and praised them for raising their concerns about the education system. But just a day later, Salman asked the protesters to return home and also directly appealed to Wangchuk to end his hunger strike, writing, “Sonam, it’s done, bro.”

The short remark soon became a viral meme and was even printed on T-shirts. Now, Wangchuk has finally responded to Salman’s comments during a conversation with Prakhar Gupta. He did not question the actor’s change in position and instead said that everyone has their own compulsions.

Sonam Wangchuk reacts to Salman Khan's viral remark

During the conversation with Prakhar Gupta, Wangchuk was shown a T-shirt carrying Salman’s “Sonam, it’s done bro” remark. He accepted the T-shirt and said he was taking it as a “healthy sentiment”.

When asked about Salman’s comments, Wangchuk said, “Majbooriyan rahi hongi sabki (everyone would have had their share of compulsions). I don’t want to get into that.”

He further said, “You have to look in all directions. The fact that he even said something at all, I respect that. Otherwise I can’t comment on his compulsions.”

Wangchuk’s response was notable because he chose not to speculate about why Salman had first supported the student protests and then asked them to call off the agitation. Instead, he said he respected the fact that the actor had spoken about the issue.

What Salman Khan said about the NEET protests

Salman had initially expressed support for the student-led protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. On July 22, he said he was glad to see students coming together for a better education system and praised their efforts to raise the issue peacefully.

The actor also spoke about the importance of education and wrote, “Education should be the next trend and fashion, and should get trendier n more fashionable yr by yr, itna k bahar se log come to India to study and India becomes an educational hub.”

However, Salman’s next post took a different direction. He appealed to the students to return to their parents and homes, saying he was confident that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would take strict action against those responsible for the leak.

Salman then directly addressed Wangchuk and wrote, “Sonam, it’s done, bro. Don’t extend this. Keep the spirit for another day if there be a need, which I doubt, n eat something. If u want, will send u food from home.”

The phrase quickly spread across social media, with users turning it into memes. It later appeared on T-shirts as well, and Wangchuk himself reacted to one such T-shirt and agreed to keep it as a positive gesture.

Wangchuk did not end his hunger strike

Despite Salman’s appeal, Wangchuk continued his hunger strike. He had started the indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar on June 28 in solidarity with students protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak and the demands of the Cockroach Janta Party.

In July, the Delhi Police moved Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital, where he continued his hunger strike. He was later shifted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram following an order from the Delhi High Court.

The protest eventually ended after the Union Government agreed to meet Wangchuk’s demands in writing. The demands included action over the alleged paper leak and the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.