Guwahati: Students of the Government College of Art and Craft on Friday painted a large mural of education reformer and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on the Basistha flyover on Thursday night, expressing solidarity with his ongoing hunger strike in Delhi demanding Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over NEET-UG paper leaks.The students said the artwork was a voluntary initiative, funded entirely by them, and was a tribute to Wangchuk’s work in education, innovation and environmental awareness as well as his stand for justice for students.However, they clarified that their painting was not linked to any political organisation.Bastab Das, one of the students, said the portrait was created purely out of admiration for Wangchuk. “After we completed the mural, several people started targeting us, claiming that we had done it in affiliation with a political party. However, that was never our intention. This is not a protest. Sonam Wangchuk is an innovator who has done a great deal for the country, and through this artwork, we wanted to appreciate his contributions. He is also on a hunger strike, demanding justice for students, and we wanted to express our support for that cause,” Das said.According to Das, work on the mural began around 9pm and was completed in nearly three hours.“We did not face any objections while painting the flyover pillar. People around us were supportive and appreciative. Many stopped to encourage us, some brought us food, and since there was no lighting, others helped by holding up lights so we could continue painting,” he said.
