Pune witnessed a controversial protest on February 9 as so-called climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who recently returned from Pakistan after participating in the ‘Breathe Pakistan’ conference, led a march against the Riverfront Development (RFD) project undertaken by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). His involvement has sparked allegations of deliberate attempts to stall Bharat’s development projects immediately upon his return from a foreign land known for its anti-Bharat propaganda.
#WATCH | Pune: Controversial Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk, after returning from Islamabad, reaches Pune to lead a march against the Riverfront Development (RFD) project by PMC and PCMC.#Pune #Maharashtra #SonamWangchuk pic.twitter.com/2nfgfaS1Uv
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) February 10, 2025
The march, dubbed as the ‘Chipko March,’ saw hundreds of activists rallying from Kalmadi High School in Baner to the Ram-Mula confluence. Protesters formed a human chain and hugged trees along the riverbank, accusing PMC of destroying natural greenery near Bund Garden under the guise of the River Rejuvenation Project. The activists demanded an ‘eco-friendly, sustainable river rejuvenation plan’ while protesting against the felling of trees. However, this comes at the cost of stalling essential urban progress.
What has raised eyebrows, however, is Wangchuk’s immediate involvement in an anti-government protest just two days after his return from Islamabad, where he attended the ‘Breathe Pakistan’ climate change conference organised by Dawn Media. His participation in the panel discussion titled ‘Glacial Melt: A Sustainable Strategy for the Water Towers of South Asia’ was seen as an endorsement of Pakistan’s environmental policies, further intensifying suspicions about his motivations.
During the conference, Wangchuk made a controversial statement: “Our message to the world always has been please live simply in the big cities so that we in the mountains simply live. And this message needs to reach the whole world and I am so happy that media and leadership have a great role to play. In Pakistan, I see Dawn Media is taking that responsibility as a champion of the environment.”
His remarks have led many to question his alignment and priorities. Critics argue that while he advises people to ‘leave mountains alone,’ he simultaneously opposes urban development projects in Indian cities. This contradiction has fueled speculations about his real agenda and whether his activism is orchestrated to serve foreign interests.
Wangchuk’s actions are drawing comparisons with Medha Patkar, the well-known activist who opposed the Narmada Dam project in Gujarat, a development that eventually proved beneficial for millions. Similar to Patkar, Wangchuk has positioned himself as a crusader against major infrastructure projects, leading many to believe that his activism serves vested interests rather than genuine environmental concerns. However, unlike Patkar, Wangchuk’s latest moves have drawn attention due to his recent engagements with Pakistan.
The timing of his protest and the issues he picks up have further raised suspicions. Observers note that whenever the Indian government undertakes major infrastructure projects, a segment of activists emerges to oppose them under the guise of environmentalism. Given the geopolitical sensitivities of Ladakh, Wangchuk’s sudden activism in Maharashtra is being closely scrutinised. His continued focus on disrupting development rather than fostering solutions highlights the deep-rooted tactics used to create obstacles for Bharat’s growth.
This is not the first time Wangchuk has found himself in the spotlight. Last year in March, he gained media attention for his 21-day hunger strike in Ladakh, which he had initially threatened to extend ‘till death.’ However, the so-called indefinite fast ended abruptly after it failed to garner sufficient media traction, exposing the theatrical nature of his activism.
Earlier in another controversy on March 18, 2024 Sonam Wangchuk made highly objectionable remarks about Mata Sita during an interview. Wangchuk, who had been on a ‘fast unto death’ protest for 13 days, compared the Modi government’s actions to that of Bhagwan Ram, alleging that it “rescued Sita from Ravan but sold her in the open market afterward.”
Wangchuk’s remarks quickly drew backlash, with many social media users condemning his comments as an insult to Hindu beliefs.
This time, despite not receiving government intervention, Wangchuk has chosen to target PMC’s urban project, once again making headlines. However, the Modi government has wisely refrained from engaging with his dramatics, recognising them as a distraction from genuine environmental issues. His desperate attempts to remain relevant appear to be guided more by media optics than actual concern for nature.
The RFD project by PMC and PCMC aims to rejuvenate Pune’s riverbanks, enhance water quality, and create sustainable urban spaces. Yet, activists like Wangchuk have conveniently ignored these benefits, focusing instead on fear-mongering over tree-cutting, without acknowledging the compensatory afforestation efforts being undertaken.
