Why Sonam Wangchuk is skipping CJP’s Jantar Mantar protest on Saturday
PTC Web Desk: Ladakh-based climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has said he will not take part in the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday and has explained why.
Wangchuk shared his reason in a post on X. “Why, I won’t be able to join you all in Delhi,” he wrote.
He said his work in Ladakh has to continue despite what he called government attempts to hinder and damage it. According to him, the team is preparing for another winter by building artificial glaciers for water security. It is also running experiments to reduce the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), which he said threaten “200 ticking water bombs” in the high Himalayas.
WHY I WON'T BE ABLE TO JOIN YOU ALL IN DELHI...!
Despite all efforts of the government to hinder & damage our work we continue to work for national security... making preparations as another winter comes.
This includes making artificial glaciers for water security & experiments for GLOF or glacial lake flood security... to difuse the 200 ticking water bombs in high Himalayas.
Adapting Faiz Sahab's words I would say...
Aur Bhi Gham Hain Zamaane Main Siyaast Ke Siva...
Rahaten aur bhi hain wasl ki raahat ke siva.
Hence I send my bestest wishes to all & urge the leaders of different groups to stay united & show statesmanship, meanwhile I urge all the genZ friends to once again stay absolutely peaceful at all costs. This was the gift of Baapu that I tried to bring to Jantar Mantar in June,
I hope we won't let Baapu down.
#JantarMantar #protest #CJP #CEC #sonamwangchuk
— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) October 9, 2026
He also quoted a couplet by poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz, saying there are other worries in the world besides politics. He urged leaders of different groups to stay united and show statesmanship.
Wangchuk also had a message for young protesters. He asked Gen Z supporters to remain peaceful “at all costs”, calling non-violence the gift of Gandhi that he had tried to bring to Jantar Mantar. “I hope we won’t let Baapu down,” he said.
How he became a face of the CJP protest
Wangchuk became one of the main faces of the CJP agitation after his hunger strike over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. After 20 days of fasting, the police removed him from the protest site and took him to Safdarjung Hospital. The move drew more people to the protest.
He was later shifted to Medanta Hospital and ended his fast on the 26th day, after talks between government representatives and the CJP, which led the nationwide agitation. The Centre then announced a set of steps on exam reforms and action against paper leaks and the CJP called off its 36-day protest. The July protest at Jantar Mantar also ended with Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigning.
Earlier detention
Wangchuk was detained on September 26 last year under the National Security Act (NSA) on an order from the District Magistrate. This followed violence in Leh in which four persons died. He was released from Jodhpur Central Jail in March this year, after the Union Government revoked his detention with immediate effect.
Also Read | CJP protest LIVE UPDATES | Delhi under lockdown-like security; Internet suspended, Metro stations shut; security personnel: 20,000; protester count: unknown
- PTC NEWS
