India, July 18 -- There is something profoundly unsettling about the way modern public movements unfold. They begin with a wave of emotion, dominate headlines, flood social media timelines, attract celebrities, politicians, influencers, and commentators, and then, almost as suddenly, fade into silence. The cameras move elsewhere, hashtags lose momentum, public attention shifts to the next controversy, and those who stood in the spotlight are left to continue their struggle alone.

The ongoing satyagraha led by Sonam Wangchuk appears to reflect this familiar pattern.

At the heart of every satyagraha lies a simple but powerful idea: one individual willingly accepts hardship in pursuit of a larger public cause. It is a tradition deeply root...