Aamir Khan might have junked suggestions that his movie ‘3 Idiots’ was ever in any manner inspired by the persona and life of Sonam Wangchuk and that any similarity between the more industrious of the three idiots, Phunsuk Wangdu, and Wangchuk is purely a coincidence, most Indians think otherwise.

But, while ‘3 Idiots’ was a blockbuster, Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike does not seem to have struck that chart-smashing chord with the audience. At best, Wangchuk has become a faint hope of the beleaguered Indian Opposition that is ready to clutch at straws to remain relevant, faced with the BJP’s railroading juggernaut. And, that does not portend well for Wangchuk and his commitment for sacrifice for a public cause.

Wangchuk’s indefinite fast aimed to topple Dharmendra Pradhan is least likely to reproduce an Anna Hazare moment. The Anna movement was launched with an overarching motive: to rid India of corruption. It was not aimed at any specific individual. Since the goal was generic and broad, it gave the movement a strong and wide symbolic appeal, since it encompassed all sorts of frustrations of Indians, and we know Indians back then had more grievances than they have now.

The framing of the problem to begin with is problematic. It resembles a witch-hunt, though it is not to say that Pradhan is beyond scrutiny or moral responsibility and, in equal measure, perception management as he is one of the more senior members of the Cabinet.

Those for whom Wangchuk has taken issue with the government too have chosen to stay out of picture. They too have not shown any rallying spirit to stand behind, if........

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