Activist Sonam Wangchuk has called for a “peaceful revolution” in the way India chooses its political leadership, saying the country needs a major change if it is to remain a “respectable nation” by 2047. In a video message ahead of Independence Day, called for “India’s second Independence movement” and urged citizens to suggest “selfless, fearless men and women of character and substance” who could help shape the country’s future.
Wangchuk said he had been unwell over the past few days and spent that time reflecting on India and its future.
Wangchuk’s ‘2nd Independence’ Pitch
Wangchuk argued that , pointing to countries that were once behind or comparable to India but had since moved ahead.
“Fifty years ago, the neighbouring countries that were behind us, or were equal to us, have now gone miles away from us,” he said, naming Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
“If we talk about per capita GDP, and if this continues, then in 2047, we will not be a developed country, but we will not even be able to show our face in the world market,” Wangchuk said.
He also congratulated those who had protested for change over the past two months, saying the agitation had resulted in a change in the Union Education Ministry.
“I would like to congratulate you on one hand, that you wanted change and you protested in the last two months. And even though there was change…the Minister of Education resigned. But the next Minister of Education, I don’t see any miracle from him either,” he said.
Wangchuk linked the country’s future to the state of its education system.
“And as long as education is behind, the future of the country will also be behind,” he said.
He also argued that the problem was bigger than any one political party, saying governments led by different parties had suppressed dissent.
“Voice was raised against one party’s government in Delhi, and that voice, then in another states, another party government, they also did the same injustice, and suppressed it in the same way. So it’s not even a matter of parties,” he said.
‘Biggest Shortcoming Is In Choosing Our Leadership’
Wangchuk referred to the political changes that followed the anti-corruption movement of 2012-13, arguing that they had not eliminated corruption or injustice.
“But today, after 12 years, corruption and injustice have taken on a new form. But it is also 2-3 times bigger than that, and is staring into our eyes, and is scaring us,” he said.
He called for a fundamental change in the way political leaders are selected.
“So we need a very big change, we need a revolution, we need a peaceful revolution in this country, so that we can move forward with the right leaders,” Wangchuk said.
“Because the biggest shortcoming is in choosing our leadership. Until the leaders are right, the entire country will be on the wrong path,” he added.
Raising concerns over criminal cases declared by elected representatives, Wangchuk said a significant number of lawmakers faced criminal allegations.
“But do you know, if you look at our Parliament, then almost half of the Parliament members are accused of crimes. One third are seriously accused of murder, rape, kidnapping. So how can the country develop in such a situation?” he said.
Wangchuk clarified that his criticism was not aimed at any particular political party or the Opposition.
“And I am not talking about any particular party or opposition, I am talking about the country,” he said.
The Ladakh-based activist said he wanted to bring together people from across India to discuss what needed to change. “I want to consult the best minds in the country wherever they are, to brainstorm about what must change and how,” he said.
However, Wangchuk said he was looking beyond people who were merely intellectuals.
“Not just intellectuals who think but people who are selfless, fearless men & women of character & substance,” he said in his post on X.
Sitting in Ladakh, Wangchuk said he did not know where to find such people and asked citizens to help identify them.
“Sitting in remote Ladakh I don’t know who & where they are, so you can help by proposing at least one such name from the nation, and your region,” he said.
He appealed to people to send him the names as an Independence Day gift and said he wanted to meet those who could help “make a new map of our country”.
Wangchuk also said he planned to travel to different states and cities to seek people’s suggestions.
Ending his X post, he called on citizens to “start India’s 2nd Independence movement”, urging people to spread the message and translate it into regional languages.