Sonam Wangchuk's pitch for India's '2nd Independence movement' to 'reform political system'

Ladakh-based scientist and activist Sonam Wangchuk has proposed a "India’s second Independence movement" to address issues in the country's electoral system and leadership selection process. In a tweet on Thursday, Wangchuk urged citizens to identify "selfless, fearless" individuals of character and substance who can help reform India's political landscape.

He highlighted that nearly half of India's Members of Parliament (MPs) have criminal cases against them and a third face serious charges such as murder, rape and kidnapping. Wangchuk believes these criminal cases contribute to a growing "trust deficit" in the nation. He emphasized the need for a "peaceful revolution" in how political leaders are chosen, emphasizing that the effort to reform the political system should not be limited to intellectuals alone but involve "selfless, fearless men and women of character and substance."

Wangchuk, who is seeking public help in identifying such individuals, framed the initiative as a collective effort to rethink India's political system and leadership ahead of the country's centenary of Independence in 2047.