Leh: “Have we become so narrow minded,” activist Sonam Wangchuk questioned people who criticised him for praising Indian Railways.
Warning against allowing political loyalties to determine what citizens praise or condemn, he told people not to become “blind followers”.
Defending his recognition of work done by a national institution, he questioned why such achievement should be judged through a political lens.
On his way to Ladakh, Wangchuk travelled to Srinagar by the Vande Bharat Express and appreciated the manner in which the Indian Railways has connected Kashmir to the rest of the country. He also marvelled at the Chenab bridge.
According to him, some people criticised his remarks, viewing them as praise for the government.
“Some people were unhappy, thinking I was praising the government. Have we become so narrow-minded?” Wangchuk said in a video message posted from his village, where he said he was resting and recovering.
He compared the Railways’ achievement with the hypothetical success of another Indian institution.
“If an Indian department, like ISRO, were to land astronauts on Mars, would we not praise them? The Indian Railways is a national service, built by thousands of engineers and officials. Shouldn’t we acknowledge that?” he asked.
Political allegiance should not prevent people from criticising wrongdoing or acknowledging positive work, Wangchuk said.
“Keep an open mind. Whether in power or opposition, we must build India together. Speak out against what is wrong, but also praise what is right,” he said.
“Don’t be a blind follower. Call out wrong as wrong and right as right. Jai Hind,” Wangchuk added.
At the same time, he renewed his appeal to the government to honour written assurances made when his hunger strike ended. He also asked that students who joined the protests should not face legal action.
“Back In My Village…But haven’t forgotten the causes. With hopes that government will fulfil the remaining promises too…” he wrote on X while sharing the video.
His return to Ladakh had not diminished his commitment to the issues raised during the protest, Wangchuk said.
“Friends, I have returned to my small village. Behind me is the Indus River, and ahead is the setting sun. I am resting here, regaining energy,” he said.
“I urge the government to fulfil the written promises made when the hunger strike was called off and to refrain from taking legal action against the protesting students,” Wangchuk said.
Commitments should be acted upon without delay, he stressed.
“Every action taken on time carries value and respect, so I want to emphasise this,” he said.
He also called for compensation to the families of students who died by suicide.
“Similarly, I want to remind everyone of the students who committed suicide and the need to provide compensation to their families. The time has come for that,” Wangchuk said.
