Don't make me protest mascot, I oppose abusive language use: Wangchuk to India Today
Environmentalist and education activist Sonam Wangchuk has said he does not want to become the face of every student protest against alleged examination irregularities, even
Environmentalist and education activist Sonam Wangchuk has said he does not want to become the face of every student protest against alleged examination irregularities, even as he pledged support for genuine movements across the country. Stressing that young people should become "heroes in their own lives", Wangchuk also said he did not approve of abusive language against political leaders, urging governments to focus on the anger behind such outbursts rather than punish protesters. Read Full Story In his first interview since ending his 26-day hunger strike, Wangchuk told India Today's Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai that peaceful protests were essential for a healthy democracy, but maintained that demonstrations should remain fair, non-violent and focused on systemic reforms. He also dismissed allegations of political alignment, defended the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) decision to remain apolitical and said he had no regrets over leading the agitation. Speaking from his village in Ladakh, Wangchuk said he was recovering well after ending his indefinite fast, having regained six of the 11 kg he lost during the protest.
'DON'T MAKE ME A MASCOT' Asked whether he planned to travel across the country to support student protests, including those in Jharkhand, Wangchuk said he had no intention of becoming the face of the movement. "I do not intend to become anything like that. I just want everybody to be their own heroes in their own places," he said. He, however, said he would continue supporting movements centred on education and environmental issues wherever the cause was just. "Education and environment are two subjects very close to my heart... I would like to support any place that is raising a just voice for these two subjects," he said. Describing the spread of protests over alleged examination irregularities as a healthy sign for democracy, Wangchuk said governments should welcome citizens who raise their voices instead of viewing dissent as a threat. "A silent population is the worst thing that a governance system could get," he said. DISAPPROVES ABUSIVE LANGUAGE Responding to the controversy over abusive slogans raised during the protests, Wangchuk said he did not support such language but urged political leaders to understand the frustration that had driven students to that point.
"I do not approve abusive language at all," he said. "But for the government, it's more a signal of how frustrated our youth have become," he added. Wangchuk said if he were in the Prime Minister's position, he would first ask himself why young people had become so angry instead of merely filing criminal cases against them. "If I was in the place of the Prime Minister, I would first tell myself how bad I've been to invoke so much anger in them," he said. Calling for restraint, he added, "Take the message, don't kill the messenger." At the same time, Wangchuk drew a distinction between peaceful protesters and those who may have indulged in violence or infiltrated demonstrations with criminal intent. While such elements should face legal action, genuine students should not be harassed merely for expressing frustration, he said. BACKS CJP STAYING APOLITICAL Wangchuk welcomed the Cockroach Janta Party's decision to remain a pressure group instead of entering electoral politics, saying he had personally advised its leadership to stay independent.
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