Sonam Wangchuk to Youth: Humility in Victory, Now Focus on Education Reforms

"Nation not built merely by resignation; there must be reforms in education": Sonam Wangchuk congratulates youth protestors

Gurugram, July 25

Wangchuk called for the movement to now focus on long-term reforms in education and governance.

Speaking to reporters at Medanta Hospital, he welcomed the Centre's decision and thanked citizens across the country for supporting what he described as a peaceful democratic movement.

"I welcome and respect the step taken by the government and Dharmendra Pradhan ji. I congratulate all the countrymen, as this is a victory for democracy that we witnessed today. We must continue to safeguard democracy in India like this in the future as well," Wangchuk said.

He credited the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), volunteers, students and citizens across the country for sustaining the movement and thanked them for maintaining peace despite tensions during the protests.

"I would like to congratulate the youth of the country and express my gratitude to our CJP team, brothers, and sisters who raised this issue first, as well as the volunteers who supported them, and the students, youth, elders, and citizens across the nation who stood up for democracy. Most importantly, I appreciate the way they maintained peace during these protests," he said.

While acknowledging that isolated incidents had occurred during the agitation, Wangchuk said the strength of democracy lay in peaceful resistance rather than violence.

"The true strength of democracy comes from our peace, not from muscle power--arms and weapons are nothing compared to the power of peace that we demonstrated. So let us maintain that. Now, when you feel that victory has been achieved, humility in victory is the most important thing; it defines and displays your character," he said.

Wangchuk said the resignation should not be viewed as the final objective of the movement, stressing that the country now needed meaningful reforms.

"On one hand, while we have achieved accountability this time, there is now a need to work on reforms. A nation is not built merely by a resignation. There must be reforms in education, and work should continue on that front," he said.

Expressing hope that the government's decision would pave the way for broader changes, Wangchuk said reforms were required not only in education but also in governance.

He said India should move away from politics driven by fear and instead embrace governance based on trust, justice and truth.

"My hope is that the way the country is run will change--moving away from fear towards love and affection, avoiding injustice, and walking on the path of truth. In whatever form corruption exists, it will be eradicated, and on the path of truth, India will become an example for the country as well as for foreign nations. It will truly become a 'Vishwaguru' (world teacher). I hope that this will be the beginning of a new India," he said.

Referring to his home region of Ladakh, Wangchuk urged the Centre to continue efforts to strengthen democracy there and fulfil commitments made to the people.

"I hope from the government that the process initiated to protect the mountains of Ladakh and to grant democracy to its people is carried out with complete honesty... In our neighbouring state of Jammu and Kashmir as well, wherever promises have been made regarding statehood and democracy, those should also be restored," he added.

His remarks came as the Cockroach Janata Party announced the withdrawal of its 37-day agitation at Jantar Mantar following the third round of talks with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh.

Addressing a press conference at the Constitution Club in New Delhi, CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the organisation was withdrawing the agitation "in good faith" after the government agreed to its key demands and assured implementation within agreed timelines.

According to the CJP, the Centre has agreed to provide suitable compensation to the families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and has assured the withdrawal of FIRs lodged against protesters across the country. The organisation also submitted a five-point charter seeking broader educational and examination reforms and said another round of discussions with the government would be held after four weeks.

Pradhan had resigned from the Union Cabinet earlier in the day, saying he had stepped down to ensure that protests over examination irregularities were not exploited by "anti-national forces."

Meanwhile, the Centre is preparing to introduce a stringent anti-paper leak law providing for Special Fast-Track Courts, a Special Task Force (STF) and other measures aimed at preventing examination malpractices across the country.

— ANI