Sonam Wangchuk made a strong statement at India Film Project Season 16 in Mumbai, where an interaction with the media turned to some of the country’s most pressing concerns, including reports of Chinese claims over Indian territory, border security and the government’s response to dissent. The education reformer and climate activist called for greater attention to India’s borders, arguing that security forces should be allowed to concentrate on their primary responsibility rather than becoming preoccupied with domestic issues. His remarks also touched on the treatment of activists and the constitutional right to peaceful protest, culminating in a pointed message: “Do not kill the messenger—take the message.”
Responding to a question about recent reports concerning China’s claims over Indian land, Wangchuk criticised what he described as misplaced priorities in the handling of national security. He argued that the Ministry of Home Affairs should focus on protecting the country’s borders and ensuring that security personnel can carry out their duties effectively. “The Ministry of Home Affairs is preoccupied with targeting its own citizens—people like me, or even children. I believe that the paramilitary forces should be left to focus on their primary duty: securing our borders,” Wangchuk said.
Explaining his concerns about the situation in Ladakh, he referred to the strategy commonly known as salami slicing, in which territory is allegedly taken or controlled through gradual, incremental advances rather than a single major incursion. He suggested that such developments can become more difficult to reverse if they go unchallenged. “In Ladakh, we have witnessed what is known as ‘salami slicing’—a tactic in which China gradually advances further into our territory. This happens precisely when our attention shifts away from the border. They often exploit the winter months to advance, and by the time they retreat, they have already established a foothold, making it extremely difficult to push them back,” he said.
Wangchuk argued that border management should receive greater attention and suggested that responsibility for it should be transferred from the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Ministry of Defence. He maintained that the paramilitary forces, which play a crucial role in border security, should be enabled to concentrate on their operational responsibilities. “If the Ministry of Home Affairs insists on focusing its efforts on pursuing its own citizens, then it should relinquish control of the borders to the Ministry of Defence,” he added, reiterating his view that border security must remain a priority.
The conversation also turned to the action being taken against individuals associated with the CJP, including Saurabh Das, Ashutosh Raka and Abhijit, amid reports of investigations and arrests followed by releases. Asked whether such action was appropriate, Wangchuk responded by stressing the importance of the rule of law while warning that the government’s approach towards citizens could have wider consequences. “Laws exist, and one must abide by them; if that leads to imprisonment, then so be it—perhaps such an event will awaken the nation,” he said.
He went on to argue that authorities risk alienating the public if they continue with actions that citizens perceive as unjust. “I believe that if the authorities persist in actions that ought not to be taken, they will only turn citizens against themselves. It is in the government’s own interest to do what is right and avoid what is wrong; otherwise, the government itself will suffer in the long run,” Wangchuk added.
His remarks highlighted a broader concern about the relationship between government authority, public trust and the right of citizens to question decisions. While acknowledging that laws must be followed, he suggested that the way those laws are enforced can have lasting implications for democratic institutions and public confidence.
“Do Not Kill the Messenger—Take the Message”: Sonam Wangchuk on Peaceful Protests
Wangchuk was also asked whether street protests organised by the CJP were the right way to raise concerns. In response, he defended peaceful demonstrations as a legitimate form of democratic expression, pointing to the constitutional protection afforded to citizens’ right to assemble peacefully.
“If the protests are peaceful, then they are a legitimate method; our Constitution grants this right. Such protests should not be suppressed. Rather, the message they convey should be heeded, and the underlying issues should be addressed,” he said.
He concluded with a line that captured the essence of his argument: “Do not kill the messenger—take the message.”
The statement underscored his view that governments should engage with the concerns raised by peaceful protesters instead of focusing solely on those delivering the criticism. For Wangchuk, the substance of a protest matters more than the discomfort it may cause those in power.
His appearance at India Film Project Season 16 brought together several significant themes: national security, border management, civil liberties and the place of peaceful dissent in a democracy. By linking the need for vigilance along India’s borders with the need to listen to citizens at home, Wangchuk made a case for what he sees as a more balanced approach to governance—one that protects the nation while respecting the rights of the people who call it home.