Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has extended his support to the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) planned protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on October 10, while confirming that he would not be able to attend the demonstration. The Ladakh-based activist explained that he was occupied with preparations for the approaching winter and environmental projects aimed at strengthening water security in the Himalayan region. In a message posted on social media platform X on October 9, Wangchuk conveyed his best wishes to the protesters and urged them to maintain unity and peaceful conduct.

Wangchuk said his current work includes developing artificial glaciers to improve water availability and conducting experiments to address the risks associated with glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). He referred to more than 200 potentially dangerous glacial lakes in the high Himalayas as “ticking water bombs”, highlighting the need for urgent attention to the environmental threats facing the region. GLOFs occur when water stored in glacial lakes is suddenly released, potentially causing destructive flooding downstream. Wangchuk emphasised that preparations for winter and efforts to reduce these risks remained important responsibilities.

Explaining his decision not to travel to Delhi, Wangchuk invoked the words of Urdu poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz to convey that concerns beyond politics also demand attention. While expressing solidarity with the demonstrators, he appealed to leaders of different groups to remain united and demonstrate statesmanship. He also specifically urged young participants, particularly members of Generation Z, to remain peaceful under all circumstances. Referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of non-violence, Wangchuk said he hoped the protesters would uphold the values he had sought to promote during earlier demonstrations at Jantar Mantar.

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Wangchuk had emerged as a prominent figure during the CJP-led agitation in June and July over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination. He undertook a hunger strike in support of demands for accountability over the alleged paper leak, drawing attention to concerns raised by protesting students. After spending several weeks on hunger strike, he ended his fast following discussions involving government representatives and the protest organisers. His participation had helped bring greater public attention to the movement and encouraged additional supporters to join the demonstrations.

The activist’s absence from the October 10 protest comes as he continues his environmental and water-security work in Ladakh. Wangchuk was also detained under the National Security Act in September 2025 following violence in Leh, in which four people were killed. The Union government revoked his detention, and he was released from Jodhpur Central Jail in March 2026. His latest message combines support for the CJP’s demonstration with an appeal for peaceful participation, while drawing attention to the environmental challenges facing the Himalayan region.

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