Sonam Wangchuk calls for ‘peaceful revolution’, seeks names for India’s ‘second Independence movement’ to ‘make a new map of our country’

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has called for a “peaceful revolution” in how India chooses its political leaders, saying the country needs major changes to remain a “respectable nation” by 2047. In a video message ahead of Independence Day, Wangchuk urged people to suggest “selfless, fearless men and women of character and substance” who could help shape the country's future.

Wangchuk calls for India’s ‘second Independence movement’

Wangchuk said he had been unwell in recent days and used the time to think about India’s direction and its future. He compared India’s progress with that of neighbouring countries and raised concerns about the country’s economic position.

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“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.

Wangchuk also urged citizens to begin what he described as “India’s second Independence movement”.

Education remains central to India’s progress

Wangchuk congratulated people who had demanded change and protested over the previous two months. He also referred to the resignation of the Education Minister, while expressing doubts about what would change under the next minister.

“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.

He linked the country’s future directly 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.

‘It’s not even a matter of parties’

Wangchuk said the problem of governance should not be viewed simply through the lens of political parties. He alleged that dissent had faced suppression under governments led by different parties.

“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.

He also recalled the anti-corruption movement of 2012-13 and said the political changes that followed had not removed corruption and 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.

Wangchuk seeks change in political leadership

The activist said India needed a fundamental rethink of how it selects its political leaders.

“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,” he 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.

Wangchuk also raised concerns about criminal cases involving elected representatives.

“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.

At the same time, he said his comments were not aimed at a 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.

Calls for citizens to suggest names

Wangchuk said he wanted to bring together people from across India to discuss what needs 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.

He made it clear that he was looking beyond people who were simply known for their intellectual abilities.

“Not just intellectuals who think but people who are selfless, fearless men & women of character & substance,” he said in his X post.

Based 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.

‘Make a new map of our country’

In his video message, Wangchuk asked people to send him names as an Independence Day gift. He said he wanted to meet people who could help “make a new map of our country”.

He also said he planned to travel to different states and cities to hear suggestions from people.

Wangchuk ended his X post by calling for people to “start India's 2nd Independence movement”. He also urged citizens to spread the message and translate it into regional languages.