Peaceful CJP protest reaffirmed relevance of non-violence, says Sonam Wangchuk

NEW DELHI: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Monday said the success of the recently concluded student-led agitation had reaffirmed the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violent resistance, while clarifying that Union ministers helping him end his fast reflected the government’s acceptance of the movement’s demands rather than political endorsement.

After paying floral tributes at Rajghat, Wangchuk said the criticism surrounding his decision to end his 26-day fast in the presence of Union ministers Jitendra Singh and J.P. Nadda arose from a misunderstanding of Ladakh’s cultural traditions.

“I wanted to pay my tribute to Bapu. His path is as relevant today as it was a century ago. This experiment has proved successful,” Wangchuk told reporters.

Explaining the custom, he said that in Ladakh it is considered a symbol of victory when a government representative or senior leader breaks a protester’s fast, as it signifies that the government has accepted the demands of the agitation.

“When a government representative feeds a protester to end a fast, it is seen as the government bowing to the demands. If that does not happen, we traditionally end the fast through the hands of a child or an elderly person,” he said.

Recalling previous agitations in Ladakh, Wangchuk said a government secretary had ended one of his earlier fasts at Ladakh Bhavan, while a child had concluded his 21-day fast in Leh after no government representative attended. “That is considered a victory in Ladakh, though perceptions may differ elsewhere,” he added.

Wangchuk said the movement demonstrated that peaceful protest remained an effective democratic instrument despite scepticism over whether such methods would influence the government.

“People said these methods would not work. Ultimately, every government has to listen to the people. The objective is to take the message to society,” he said.

Referring to his earlier campaigns in Ladakh, he said Gandhian methods had yielded results there as well, but the latest agitation had established their relevance on a national scale.

“It may take time, but it succeeds. By accepting suffering yourself rather than inflicting it on others, even the hardest hearts can change,” he said.

Congratulating the organisers and participants, Wangchuk said the movement achieved its objective because protesters maintained discipline and non-violence despite police action.

“It was peaceful protest that succeeded, not confrontation. Violence would only have worsened the situation,” he said, urging people in India and across the world to continue following Gandhi’s principles.

Responding to questions on the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Wangchuk described it as “a beginning”, saying meaningful reforms would ultimately strengthen the country. He also stressed that any proposed legislation should undergo comprehensive parliamentary scrutiny.

Expressing confidence that the government’s assurances would be implemented, Wangchuk said peaceful protesters should not face punitive action, describing peaceful protest as a constitutional right. On allegations of excessive police force during the agitation, he said accountability was essential in a democracy.

He also emphasised that his campaign was never directed against individuals, saying Gandhi had taught people to oppose actions rather than persons.

“I do not hate anyone. If the government is wrong, it does not mean I hate those in government. Bapu taught us to oppose wrongdoing, not individuals,” he said.

Calling for improved governance, Wangchuk expressed hope that the developments following the agitation would help create an India free from fear, injustice and corruption.

Wangchuk was discharged from Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on Monday after being shifted there from Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital under court orders. He had been admitted to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18 after police intervened during his fast.

The 36-day student-led agitation, spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), concluded on Saturday after the Centre accepted several of its principal demands, including the resignation of the former Union Education Minister, the formation of a committee to recommend reforms to the National Testing Agency, withdrawal of cases against peaceful protesters and an assurance that students participating in the agitation would not face punitive action.

Wangchuk, who joined the protest on June 28, formally ended his 26-day fast late on Thursday following the government’s announcement.