'Honorary cockroach' Sonam Wangchuk has a message for govt

As the viral "cockroach" movement gathers momentum online, Sonam Wangchuk has stepped into the debate with a sharp warning for the government and an unusual declaration that is now fuelling fresh attention.

In Short

• Movement uses satire to protest unemployment and exam paper leaks
• Wangchuk warns against suppressing online youth voices, citing Nepal unrest
• Urges government to listen and youths to stay peaceful, avoid violence

Environmentalist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday threw his weight behind the viral “cockroach” movement led by the self-styled Cockroach Janata Party, calling himself an “honorary cockroach” and urging the government to listen to frustrated youngsters instead of suppressing their online expression.

The movement, which uses satire and the imagery of a cockroach as a symbol of resilience and dissent, has gained traction in recent days amid allegations that its social media accounts and digital platforms were hacked, withheld or taken down.

Speaking to PTI, Wangchuk described the campaign as a creative and democratic expression of youth frustration over issues such as unemployment, exam paper leaks and accountability.

“First of all, I am very impressed,” Wangchuk said.

“Such creative expressions by our youth are nothing to worry about and nothing to be afraid of. The government should take the message, don't kill the messenger. If we kill the messenger, the message will not end.”

'I CONSIDER MYSELF AN HONORARY COCKROACH'

Asked whether he would formally join the movement, Wangchuk responded in a lighter tone while backing the larger message behind the campaign.

“I have been asked by several quarters to speak on it. Some are saying I should also become a member,” he said.

“I think I do not qualify, I am neither unemployed nor am I lazy. So sadly, I am not a member. But I consider myself an honorary cockroach.”

The online campaign has emerged as an unusual internet phenomenon, mixing political satire, memes and criticism of public institutions with growing anger among students and job seekers.

Its founders have alleged that their accounts were suspended or hacked following online mobilisation linked to the alleged NEET-UG paper leak controversy.

'SEE IT AS FEEDBACK'

Wangchuk compared the movement to political satire and newspaper caricatures, arguing that humour and symbolic dissent are a legitimate part of democracy.

“Like cartoonists in newspapers, you don't shoot them because they made a caricature of the prime minister, the home minister or the defence minister,” he said.

“Similarly, this is also satire. See it as feedback.”

He praised the movement’s non-violent nature and said India’s youth had chosen creativity instead of confrontation.

“I am very impressed that the youth of India wanted to bring out their frustration in such a creative way, not on the streets with stones, as has happened in other countries,” he said.

“To respect it is the duty of the Indian government, to look at it lovingly and take its message.”

WARNING AGAINST SUPPRESSING DISSENT

Wangchuk also cautioned against shutting down online spaces used by young people to express dissent.

“Otherwise, what will happen? I am hearing that their accounts are being closed. Then this anger can go anywhere,” he said.

Drawing a comparison with unrest in Nepal, he argued that suppressing online expression could have unintended consequences.

“Violence did not happen just like that in Nepal. When they shut down the internet and stopped creative expressions online, youth came out on the streets and it became an ugly scene,” he said.

He added that the issues being raised by the movement, particularly alleged paper leaks and questions around accountability, deserved serious attention.

“They are raising the issue of paper leak, there is nothing wrong with that,” Wangchuk said.

“In any country, ministers resign on such issues, so what is the big deal? Instead of suppressing them, their message should be taken.”

'DO NOT PUSH THEM'

Wangchuk said the movement reflected genuine anxiety among young people trying to make themselves heard before frustrations deepen further.

“They are troubled, so they are expressing that they are worried, but not so much that they take to the streets. This could be the next step,” he said.

“That is why, at this stage, their voices should be heard.”

Calling the campaign a uniquely Indian form of protest, Wangchuk said it should be viewed as an opportunity to strengthen democracy.

“It should be taken very positively and used to create a better India,” he said.

“The creativity with which the youth of India have given this message, such things make us Vishwaguru.”

He also appealed to young people to remain peaceful while asking the government not to corner them.

“This is my message to the government, do not push them,” Wangchuk said.

“And I request the youth to never go towards violence. Keep raising your voice, no matter how much you talk, never go towards violence. On the other hand, the government should not force them to take the path of violence.”

- Ends
With inputs from PTI