Did Deepika Padukone Support Sonam Wangchuk? Viral Story Is Fake
A viral Instagram screenshot claiming that Deepika Padukone publicly supported activist Sonam Wangchuk during his hunger strike is fake. No credible evidence shows that the Bollywood actor uploaded or later deleted the widely circulated Instagram Story.
The manipulated screenshot spread rapidly across social media as concern grew over Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Several users believed that Deepika had spoken about the protest before quietly removing her post. However, checks of her verified account, archived social media activity, and credible media reports found no record of the alleged Story.
What Did the Viral Deepika Padukone Post Claim?
The screenshot appeared to show Deepika reposting an image of Sonam Wangchuk with the message, “He is fasting. We are scrolling.” It also attributed a politically charged caption to the actor, questioning the silence surrounding the protest and criticising the country’s leadership.
The image was shared widely on platforms including X and Reddit. Some users additionally claimed that Deepika deleted the Story shortly after posting it, fuelling speculation that she had withdrawn her public support because of possible controversy.
There is, however, no independently verifiable evidence that the Instagram Story ever appeared on Deepika’s official account.
Deepika Padukone Sonam Wangchuk Fake Post Debunked
A review of Deepika Padukone’s verified Instagram presence and available archived activity produced no trace of the alleged post. No trustworthy screenshot captured directly from her account, confirmed screen recording, or archived version of the Story has surfaced.
Multiple reports examining the viral claim concluded that the screenshot appears to have been digitally manipulated. Because there is no proof that the Story was originally published, the additional claim that Deepika later deleted it is also unsubstantiated.
As of July 16, 2026, Deepika Padukone has not issued a verified public statement supporting or opposing Wangchuk’s ongoing hunger strike.
Was the Fake Post Shared by a CJP Spokesperson?
Social media reports claimed that the screenshot was amplified by Saurav Das, who has been identified as the chief spokesperson of the Cockroach Janta Party. Das is among the three spokespersons appointed to represent the youth-led movement publicly.
However, an accessible archived copy of the alleged repost could not be independently located at the time of verification. Therefore, claims regarding his precise repost should be described as reported rather than conclusively established.
The incident highlights how even political representatives, celebrities, and prominent social media users can encounter unverified screenshots during rapidly developing protests.
Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike Continues
The fake post controversy emerged while Sonam Wangchuk continued his indefinite fast in solidarity with the CJP movement. The group has been protesting alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks while demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and wider reforms to the examination system.
On July 16, Wangchuk entered the 19th day of his hunger strike. Medical reports stated that he had lost more than nine kilograms. The Delhi High Court directed authorities to monitor his health and intervene if doctors considered medical action necessary.
The CJP has also announced a march towards Parliament on July 20 as part of its campaign for accountability and examination reforms.
Bollywood Celebrities Extend Support
Although Deepika’s alleged message is fake, several other film personalities have publicly expressed concern over Wangchuk’s condition.
Actors and filmmakers, including Shabana Azmi, Soni Razdan, Swara Bhasker, Zeenat Aman, Abhay Deol, Omi Vaidya, Anurag Kashyap, and Atul Kulkarni, have either expressed solidarity or appealed to Wangchuk to protect his health. Atul Kulkarni also announced a one-day symbolic hunger strike in support of Wangchuk and called for constructive dialogue.
Why Verifying Viral Screenshots Matters
Instagram Stories disappear after 24 hours, making fabricated screenshots difficult for ordinary users to verify. But the absence of a post from a celebrity’s current profile does not automatically prove it was deleted.
Users should look for archived evidence, direct confirmation, screen recordings from verified accounts, or reports from reliable news organisations before sharing politically sensitive screenshots.
In this case, available evidence does not support the claim that Deepika Padukone posted or deleted the viral Sonam Wangchuk Instagram Story. The screenshot should therefore be treated as fabricated.
