India, July 28 -- Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Monday said the success of the recently concluded student-led agitation had reaffirmed the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi's methods, asserting that non-violent resistance could still move governments and bring about change. After paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, Wangchuk also clarified that Union ministers Jitendra Singh and JP Nadda helping him end his hunger strike was, according to Ladakhi tradition, a sign that the government had yielded to the protesters' demands and not a political endorsement. "I wanted to pay my tribute to Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi). His path is as relevant today as it was 100 years ago. This experiment is successful today," he said.
Wangchuk said: "In Ladakh, when protests happen, it is believed that if a government representative or some big leader breaks your fast, it is considered a victory. They are bowing to you while feeding you," he said, adding that if no government representative turns up, a child or an elderly person traditionally breaks the fast. "In Ladakh, this is considered victory, maybe it is different in Delhi," he said. Wangchuk said the latest agitation had once again demonstrated that Gandhi's philosophy of non-violent resistance remained relevant. "People kept saying such tactics would not work on this government. I believe it is more about taking the message to the people, and every government ultimately listens to the people," he said.
He congratulated the organisers and participants, saying the movement succeeded because it remained peaceful despite police action. "It did not succeed because of batons and stones, but because of peaceful protest. The baton charge would have made the situation worse," he said. On the resignation of former Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Wangchuk said, "The resignation is a start. Reforms would make the country better," while stressing that proposed legislation should be thoroughly debated in Parliament. He expressed hope that government assurances would be honoured and no action would be taken against peaceful protesters.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.