Mumbai, Oct 2026 : Climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk has described peaceful protests as an important feedback mechanism for governments, arguing that restrictions on public demonstrations can deepen public discontent and create conditions for unrest.
Speaking at the IPF Festival in Mumbai on Saturday, Wangchuk cited developments in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to underline the importance of allowing citizens to express their grievances peacefully. He said demonstrations should be permitted near centres of political power so that governments remain accessible to public concerns.
Wangchuk pointed out that countries such as the United Kingdom, Norway and Sweden allow demonstrations outside their parliaments. In India, he said, protesters were often kept at locations too far from decision-making centres.
“In India, it was far from Parliament. Even when it was just Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, it was too far,” he said, describing peaceful demonstrations as a pressure valve through which governments could understand public sentiment and improve their functioning.
Peaceful Protest as a Constitutional Right
Wangchuk's remarks come amid a debate over restrictions on demonstrations and government action against protesters. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) had called for a protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have criticised the Centre over restrictions on peaceful demonstrations.
“Look what happens when protests are not allowed. That is the example of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, when peaceful venting of energy is not allowed,” Wangchuk said.
He argued that citizens should not have to seek permission merely to exercise their right to peaceful protest, although regulatory arrangements could help authorities monitor public gatherings and maintain order.
Referring to the arrests of demonstrators, including CJP leaders, he said authorities should focus on addressing the grievances being raised rather than targeting those who communicate them.
“You don't kill the messenger. Take the message,” he said.
Wangchuk had earlier undertaken a 26-day hunger strike in support of the CJP's demand for the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). He warned that governments risk losing public support when they take unnecessary actions or fail to address legitimate concerns.
“If you do things that need not be done, then people will go against you. This will only hurt the government. Do what is right,” he said.
Questions Over Deployment of Security Forces
The activist also questioned the deployment of paramilitary forces to handle protesters, particularly young people. He argued that forces under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs should prioritise their responsibilities in protecting the country's borders.
Wangchuk expressed concern over what he described as China's gradual movement into areas along the Ladakh border while personnel and attention were diverted towards internal security duties, particularly during winter. These were his assertions about the border situation.
“If the MHA wants to target civilians, then borders should be handed over to the Ministry of Defence,” he said, stressing that national security should remain a priority.
Wangchuk Renews Demand for Ladakh's Democratic Participation
Wangchuk also criticised the Ladakh administration's decision to cancel the land allotment to the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh. The administration defended its decision, stating that the allotment had lapsed because dues remained unpaid and the lease deed had not been executed. It also cited Wangchuk's alleged disregard for the law.
The activist called for greater democratic participation by Ladakh's residents in decisions concerning their land, resources and future. He said people living in the region were better placed to understand its fragile ecology and the consequences of administrative decisions.
“And going by that principle, I say Ladakh should have a say in how Ladakh is managed. That is all we are saying, basically,” he said.
He advocated a governance system in which local residents or their representatives could make decisions while considering the long-term interests of future generations.
Referring to Ladakh's administrative status following the 2019 reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir, Wangchuk compared the region's governance to that of a former colony administered by a viceroy from New Delhi rather than London. He argued that administrators from outside the region, despite good intentions, might not fully understand Ladakh's distinctive environmental conditions and local needs.
“Just as I would be the most unfit person to become the leader or chief minister of Maharashtra, similarly, somebody from Delhi will not be the fittest and best caretaking person for Ladakh,” he said.
Wangchuk was placed under preventive detention in September 2025 following violent protests in Ladakh. He was detained under the National Security Act until his release in March 2026.
His remarks brought together three central concerns: protecting the right to peaceful protest, ensuring security forces remain focused on national security, and giving Ladakh's residents a greater voice in governing their region.
