Indian social activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk has called for a “peaceful revolution” in the way the country selects its political leadership, saying fundamental change is needed if India is to become a developed and “dignified state” by 2047.
In a video message released ahead of Independence Day, Wangchuk called for a “second freedom movement in India”. He urged citizens to seek out and nominate “selfless, fearless, principled and capable” women and men who could help shape the country’s future.
Wangchuk said he had been unwell in recent days and had used the time to think about India’s future. Comparing India’s progress with that of several neighbouring countries in Asia, he said he feared the country could fall behind its development goals if it stayed on its present course.
“If we talk about per capita GDP and this trend continues, then in 2047 we will not only fail to become a developed country, we will not even be in a position to show our face in the global market,” he said.
He also tied India’s future to the strength of its education system, saying national progress cannot outpace educational progress. “As long as education lags behind, the country’s future will lag behind too,” he said.
Wangchuk congratulated those who have campaigned for change through protest in recent months and noted internal changes at the union education ministry. But he said he saw little reason yet to expect major change under new leadership.
On the broader question of how the country is governed, Wangchuk said no single political party could be blamed for India’s problems, noting that governments of different parties had treated dissent in similar ways at different times.
“So this is not just a matter of any one political party,” he said, adding that his concern was with the wider question of how India is run.
Wangchuk also referred to India’s political turbulence after the anti-corruption movement of 2012-13. In his view, that movement changed the government but did not end corruption and injustice.
“But today, 12 years later, corruption and injustice have taken new forms,” he said, adding that the problem had grown larger and more troubling than before.
The core weakness, in Wangchuk’s view, lies in the method of selecting political leadership.
“We need major change in the country, we need a revolution, a peaceful revolution, so that we can move forward with the right leadership. Because the biggest deficit is in the selection of leadership. Until the leadership is right, the whole country will stay on the wrong path,” he said.
He also expressed concern about criminal cases pending against elected representatives.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report