Why Sonam Wangchuk is staying away from Delhi protests

Indian educator and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk has explained why he will not be joining the ongoing protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, saying he is focusing on scientific experiments to prevent Himalayan glacial lakes from bursting and causing devastating floods.

Protests called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar are continuing at Jantar Mantar despite police restrictions. Wangchuk, who previously joined young people in a movement demanding the education minister’s resignation, said he might not be able to stand alongside the protesters this time because of the environmental risks facing his home region in Ladakh.

In a video message posted on his verified Facebook account on Saturday (October 10), Wangchuk said, “Greetings to everyone from the mountains of Ladakh. Winter is approaching here. We are conducting scientific experiments to prevent lakes formed by melting glaciers from bursting.”

He said many people had asked where he was, why he had remained silent and why he was not participating in the Delhi protest. Wangchuk praised those working to avert what he described as a political danger facing the country, but said the country also faced natural threats.

Quoting poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, he said, “Like Faiz sahib, I want to say that in this age, there are many sorrows beyond love, many sorrows beyond politics, and many kinds of comfort beyond the comfort of reunion.”

Wangchuk said people should not expect to see him at the protests as they had in the past. He explained his absence through the analogy of a cooking fire, saying a matchstick was needed to light a traditional stove, but once the fire caught, the cooking could continue.

“My hope is that you will solve the political problems there, while we solve the natural problems here,” he said.

Referring to recent disasters in the Himalayan region, Wangchuk recalled a glacial lake in Nepal that reportedly burst a few weeks ago, causing extensive damage. He also cited the destruction caused when Sikkim’s South Lhonak Lake burst in the past.

“I am standing here beside a stream in my village, where a flood a few years ago turned everything upside down,” he said.

Warning of further risks, Wangchuk said scientists had identified nearly 200 lakes in the Himalayan region that were at risk of bursting. He said advance intervention could help reduce the damage, as he and his team had been working to do.

“Protecting the country from these dangers is just as necessary as the efforts you are making to protect it from political dangers,” he said.

At the end of his message, Wangchuk urged protesters to remain determined and called on their leaders to stay united in their struggle.

“I would tell all of you to protest with determination. To those leading the movement, I would say to fight together in unity. There is strength in unity. Do not fight separately; everyone should stand together,” he said.

He also urged ordinary people to remain patient and peaceful. “Do not abandon the path of patience and peace. Maintain peace, and victory will be yours. And if the stove ever goes out, remember this humble matchstick,” he said.