Sonam Wangchuk Calls For 'Second Independence Movement'; Urges India To Embrace Peaceful Political Change

New Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday called for a "peaceful revolution" in the way India chooses its political leadership, saying major changes are needed if the country has to remain a "respectable nation" till 2047.

What did Sonam Wangchuk say?

In a video message released ahead of Independence Day, Wangchuk also called for 'India's second freedom movement' and he called for the involvement of “selfless, fearless men and women of character and substance” who could contribute meaningfully to the effort to reform the political system.

“Together, can we start India’s 2nd Independence movement?” he asked.

Wangchuk said that if the country is to progress as a respectable and developed nation by 2047, the direction of politics and governance must change. 

He said that he was unwell for the last few days and he spent his time thinking about the country and its future.

Did Sonam Wangchuk compare India with other countries?

Naming Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Wangchuk said, "The neighbouring countries which were behind us or at par with us fifty years ago, have now gone far ahead of us."

He warned, "If we talk about per capita GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and if this situation continues, then in 2047, we will not be able to show our face in the global market, let alone become a developed country."

“If this continues, we will not be a developed country in 2047, and we will not even be able to show our face in the world market,” he said.

What about the education?

Wangchuk linked the country's progress to its education system, saying that the future of any nation depends on its education. 

“As long as education remains backward, the future of the country will also remain backward,” Wangchuk said.