After meeting LG, Sonam Wangchuk likely to revisit his stand on ‘Cockroach Janta Party’

Days after the “honorary cockroach” remark by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, the Ladakh Lt. Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said Wangchuk has agreed to revisit his stand on the contentious political narrative, if necessary.

The “Cockroach Janata Party” controversy took a fresh turn on Tuesday evening with LG Saxena saying in a post on X activist Sonam Wangchuk had agreed to maintain an “air of positivity” in Ladakh and reconsider his views linked to the contentious political narrative.

Advertisement

The announcement by the LG came after Wangchuk and his wife Gitanjali Angmo met him in Leh.
The LG said Wangchuk was unsure of the origins of the Cockroach Party and would study the motivations of its founders and revisit his stand, if necessary.

LG Saxena wrote; “Had a candid exchange with Shri Sonam Wangchuk and Smt. Gitanjali Angmo in the backdrop of the constructive dialogue in the Union Home Ministry. We agreed that an air of positivity, both in terms of development initiatives and political dialogue, needs to be maintained”.

“I cautioned Shri Wangchuk to abjure from weaving a misleading and provocative narrative, which vitiates public discourse”.

“Democratic expression must not be taken as license for fabricating falsehoods and rabble rousing. He (Wangchuk) accepted that comparing the situation of Ladakh with Manipur was an error of judgement. He also said that he was unsure of the origins of the Cockroach Party and would study the motivations of its founders and revisit his stand, if necessary”.
“I also highlighted, that repeated rallies and protests, despite positive developments initiated by the Centre, will have a negative impact on economic activities in the tourism space, which is the backbone of Ladakh”, the LG added.

“Wangchuk appreciated the positive development initiatives like Him Sarovar project, restoration of Igoo Phey Canal, construction of Mahe – Topko Canal and massive plantation drives, undertaken in the recent days”, the LG said.

Meanwhile it is worth noting that during an interview last week, Wangchuk threw his weight behind the viral “cockroach” movement led by the Cockroach Janata Party, calling himself an “honorary cockroach” and urging the government to listen to frustrated youngsters instead of suppressing their online expression.

Last year, Wangchuk was booked under the National Security Act (NSA) and lodged in the Jodhpur jail. He was released in March this year.
Wangchuk joined the Ladakh talks with the Centre for the first time last week, as part of the sub-committee meeting with officials of the Home Ministry.