New Delhi: Scientist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has urged citizens across the country to launch a movement aimed at changing how India elects
its leaders. Describing the initiative as “India’s second Independence movement”, he asked people to recommend honest, courageous and compassionate leaders who could help shape the country’s future.
In a message posted on X on Thursday, Wangchuk called for a “peaceful revolution” in the process through which political leaders are chosen. He warned that such a transformation was necessary if India wanted to remain a “respectable nation” by 2047, when it completes 100 years of Independence.
Highlighting what he described as serious problems within the existing political system, Wangchuk claimed that nearly half of India’s Members of Parliament have criminal cases against them, while around one-third face serious charges, including murder, rape and kidnapping. He said the situation had created a growing “trust deficit” between the public and the political establishment.
THIS INDIPENDENCE DAY, I NEED YOUR HELP…
This country needs a peaceful revolution, at least in how we chose our leaders… if we are to remain even a respectable nation by 2047.
Close to half of our MPs have criminal cases and a third have serious charges like murder, rape &… pic.twitter.com/10byPuzwtX— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) August 13, 2026
To address these concerns, Wangchuk said he wanted to consult some of the “best minds” in the country to determine what changes were needed and how they could be implemented. However, he stressed that the initiative should not be restricted to prominent thinkers or political experts.
Instead, he sought the participation of “selfless, fearless men and women of character and substance” who could help reform the system.
Wangchuk, who lives in the remote Himalayan region of Ladakh, acknowledged that he did not know how to identify such individuals across the country. He therefore appealed to citizens to recommend at least one honest and capable person from their local area or elsewhere in India.
“Together, can we start India’s 2nd Independence movement?” he asked, presenting the initiative as a nationwide collective effort to rebuild public trust and elect better leaders ahead of 2047.
Curated by Ramansh Dhadwal
