Don't kill the messenger: Sonam Wangchuk warns Centre over crackdown on protesters

Climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday said peaceful protests act as a feedback mechanism and encourage governments to perform better, news agency Press Trust of India reported. He cited unrest in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as examples of what could happen when people are not allowed to express their concerns peacefully.

Speaking at the IPF Festival in Mumbai, Wangchuk said several countries allow protests outside their parliaments. He argued that protests serve as a pressure valve for governments and should not be pushed far away from centres of power.

Wangchuk said protests were allowed outside parliament in countries such as the United Kingdom, Norway and Sweden. Referring to India, he said, “In India, it was far from Parliament Even when it was just Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, it was too far.”

“So, protests are a great mechanism, a feedback, a pressure valve for governments to perform better if they see that,” he



said.

His remarks came amid action by the Centre after the Cockroach Janta Party called for a protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Opposition has criticised the Union government for not allowing peaceful protests.

“Look what happens when protests are not allowed. That is the example of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, when peaceful venting of energy is not allowed,” Wangchuk said.

He said people should not need permission to hold protests and that permissions should instead help authorities monitor events taking place in a city, including festivals. Speaking to reporters, according to PTI, Wangchuk said peaceful protests on the streets were a constitutional right.

Commenting on the arrest of protesters, including CJP leaders, he said, “You don't kill the messenger. Take the message.”