Violence should not be limited to guns and daggers; environmental challenges lead to slow death: Sonam Wangchuk

“The understanding of violence should not be limited to just guns and daggers. Environmental problems lead to the slow death of the elderly, birds and animals. Why don’t we define pollution as a form of violence?” asked Sonam Wangchuk, an environmental activist from Ladakh, who is also popular as an inspiration for the film 3 idiotsSunday during a protest in Freedom Park.

Speaking at the event held as a peaceful solidarity event for Ladakh and local aspirations for a green, sustainable Bengaluru, he said, “Our laws are outdated. We talk about the right to life, but we do not consider slow poisoning with air pollution as a factor. We must redefine our laws and education to prepare our youth on how to live better.”

The protest also focused on the implementation of the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, which grants constitutional status to urban local bodies. Mr Wangchuk advocated a decentralized form of government, saying: “People living in their own regions should have more control over their countries.”