Gitanjali Angmo, educationist and wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, on Saturday questioned restrictions on student protests, saying peaceful dissent was essential to democracy and governments must engage with protesters rather than shut down dialogue. She also said Sanatan could not be equated with the BJP and that Ladakh’s fight was for its people’s right to determine their future through elected representatives.

Speaking at the Khushwant Singh Lit Fest, in conversation with senior journalist Sunetra Chaudhuri, Angmo criticised curbs on demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and the requirement that protesters use designated venues, warning that suppressing dissent without addressing grievances could aggravate tensions.

“In a democracy, dialogue is the valve which helps release the pressure,” she said, likening discontent to a pressure cooker.…