IndiaPosted at: Sep 27 2026 7:54PM


Wangchuk backs electoral accountability movement, may not attend Oct 2 protest

New Delhi, Sep 27 (UNI) Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday extended support to movements seeking greater accountability in India’s electoral process, but indicated that he may not personally attend a protest planned in Mumbai on October 2 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Wangchuk said his support for such movements did not necessarily require his physical participation, particularly when others were already mobilising on the issue.
“Backing definitely, anything to improve accountability in the nation, always with them,” he said.
“The whole idea of supporting movements for me is that these movements are on their own. So there are many people now for that issue, and I am happy to see that, and therefore I hope I will not be needed on the CEC issue,” Wangchuk said.
The Cockroach Janta Party has announced that it will begin its protest against Kumar in Mumbai on October 2, seeking greater accountability from the Election Commission.
Wangchuk said a credible electoral process was fundamental to democracy and called for improvements in the system. “If the election process is spoiled, then what is left of democracy?” he said.
He also stressed that governments should honour commitments made to people, citing the demand for Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.
“The promises that you made should be fulfilled. For example, Ladakh was promised a 6th Schedule,” he said.
Wangchuk said October 2, which marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, also carried significance for movements advocating people's rights, noting Gandhi's emphasis on peaceful protest.
His remarks come a year after the protests in Ladakh on September 24, 2025, which left four people dead in police firing and triggered arrests and criminal proceedings. Wangchuk himself was detained under the National Security Act on September 26 last year and sent to Jodhpur Central Jail. His detention was revoked by the government on March 14, 2026, while the matter was being challenged before the Supreme Court.
In a statement issued on Sunday marking a year since his detention, Wangchuk renewed his demand for the release of the judicial inquiry report into the September 24 violence.
“Let the report come. Let the people know the truth,” he said, arguing that those found responsible for wrongdoing should be held accountable.
He also questioned the adequacy of compensation announced for the families of those killed and sought higher compensation for the bereaved families and those who suffered serious or permanent injuries.
Wangchuk further called for a review of criminal cases registered against people following the Ladakh protests, while maintaining that genuine offenders should face the law.
“If there is credible evidence that a particular person committed violence or a serious criminal offence, let the law take its course. Nobody should be above the law. But neither should an innocent person be below the protection of the law,” he said.
Linking his experience of detention to wider concerns about the criminal justice system, Wangchuk called for reforms relating to undertrial detention, investigation and prosecution, compensation for wrongful deprivation of liberty and safeguards against the misuse of extraordinary laws.
“A democracy should never be afraid of questions. A strong country is not one where citizens are silent,” he said.
Wangchuk said his demands were aimed at ensuring greater institutional accountability rather than seeking revenge.
“One year after four lives were lost in Leh, and one year after my first morning in Jodhpur jail, I am not asking for revenge. I am asking for truth. I am asking for justice. I am asking for accountability,” he said.
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Tags: #Wangchuk backs electoral accountability movement# may not attend Oct 2 protest
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