Sonam Wangchuk Urges Supporters to Celebrate with Humility
Indiadailyupdate.com – Celebrate with humility. This was the clear message from renowned activist Sonam Wangchuk as viral videos of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) members partying sparked widespread discussion across social media platforms. Following the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, which came hours after the protest was called off, Wangchuk issued a thoughtful statement urging the movement’s leaders to maintain dignity during their moment of victory. “Victory must be accompanied by humility,” Wangchuk emphasized, calling on all supporters to celebrate with dignity, restraint, and responsibility as they mark this significant achievement.
Context of the Protest and Hunger Strike
Wangchuk’s intervention comes at a crucial time for the student-led movement that began last month at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The activist had joined the CJP-led students’ protest, launching an indefinite hunger strike to demand the education minister’s resignation and push for comprehensive exam reforms. His demands were rooted in the tragic NEET paper leak incident that led to multiple student suicides across the country. The hunger strike lasted for 26 days before Wangchuk ended it on July 23, following assurances from the Centre that no action would be taken against student protesters and that families of NEET aspirants would receive adequate compensation.
During this period, Wangchuk’s health concerns prompted Delhi Police to forcibly shift him to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18, citing a High Court order that expressed worries about his wellbeing. His steadfast commitment to the cause demonstrated his deep connection with the students and their families who were grappling with the aftermath of the examination scandal.
Social Media Reactions and CJP’s Response
“We can sit on the road for as long as it takes. We can protest while dancing. We can organise while sipping cold coffee,” CJP spokesperson Saurva Das wrote on X, defending the celebrations as authentic expressions of the younger generation’s spirit.
The celebration videos have ignited a fierce debate online, with opinions sharply divided. Many social media users criticized the timing, arguing that the festivities appeared insensitive given that the movement was fundamentally driven by student suicides following the NEET-UG paper leak. Others pointed out that while some CJP leaders celebrated, numerous protesters continued to face arrests across various states, creating an impression of inequality in how different segments of the movement were experiencing this moment.
SC advocate Mahesh Jethmalani added his voice to the criticism, writing on X: “After Delhi witnessed days of violence, these so-called youth activists switched on the music and began dancing.” However, CJP spokesperson Saurva Das firmly rejected claims that the event was extravagant or inappropriate. “One thing I want to make clear: whenever such visuals come, people tend to exaggerate a lot. It wasn’t a five-star hotel. It was two-star or maybe three max,” Das explained, emphasizing that the gathering was held in a basement hall to honor approximately 150 to 200 volunteers who had shown remarkable dedication.
Das further highlighted the sacrifices made by women protesters, noting that many had traveled from across states to spend 37 consecutive days on the road during the demonstrations. He also addressed the generational divide in public perception, stating that the government and certain television anchors “simply do not understand the language of Gen Z and younger generations.” This perspective underscores the broader cultural conversation about how different age groups express emotions and mark milestones in public life.
