Activist argues frustration behind protest language should prompt self-reflection from leadership, not punitive action against students
scientist-activist Sonam Wangchuk has said he does not endorse the use of abusive language against political leaders, responding to viral footage of such remarks being made during a student protest at Jantar Mantar. However, he argued that the government should read such incidents as a symptom of deep-seated frustration among young people rather than dismiss them outright.
“I do not approve abusive language at all. But for the government, it’s more a signal of how frustrated our youth have become,” Wangchuk told India Today.
He added that, in the Prime Minister’s position, his instinct would be to examine his own conduct before targeting the students involved. “If I was in the place of the Prime Minister, I would first tell myself how bad I’ve been to invoke so much anger in them,” he said, urging authorities to “take the message, don’t kill the messenger.”
The remarks come after a zero FIR was registered against a 15-year-old girl for allegedly making abusive comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP)-linked protest. The case was later withdrawn after the complainant said the teenager had apologised and that the Prime Minister had forgiven her.
Wangchuk’s comments were made during a conversation with Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha leader Devendra Nath Mahato, amid ongoing student protests in Jharkhand.
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