Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday (August 13, 2026) 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.
Key Statements
Mr. Wangchuk congratulated those who had sought change and protested over the past two months, saying the agitation had also seen a change in the Union Education Ministry.
He said he had been unwell over the past few days and had spent time thinking about the country and its future. “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,” he said.
Political Context
“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. “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 it’s not even a matter of parties,” he said. So how can the country develop in such a situation?” he said.
What Happens Next
“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 added. Mr.
Wangchuk said the country’s progress was closely linked to its education system.
