Protests without purpose: The futility of fury in a changing world

For much of human history, protest has been a moral instrument, the means by which the powerless confronted the powerful. From the civil rights marches in America to India’s own freedom struggle, protest once had direction, depth, and dignity. But in an age of instant outrage, where emotion eclipses reason and performance replaces purpose, protest has begun to lose its meaning.

Across the world today, demonstrations that begin with hope often end in despair. The pattern is familiar: a grievance turns into a gathering, the gathering into confrontation, and the confrontation into chaos. By the time the dust settles, lives are lost, property destroyed, and societies further divided. No one wins, not the people, not the government, not the idea of democracy itself.

The Lessons from Nepal

The recent protests in Nepal, which began as a peaceful call for reform, serve as a cautionary tale. What started with idealism ended in flames. The youth who sought change awoke to the ashes of their own institutions. As The New York Times reported, even the organisers confessed they never intended a revolution; they only wanted to be heard. The outcome was not reform, but ruin, a loss of trust, stability, and social harmony.

This is the tragedy of modern protest culture: it begins with legitimacy but often ends with futility. Once the fire is lit, it consumes indiscriminately, the just and the unjust, the hopeful and the cynical, all caught in the same storm.

The Mirror in Ladakh

In India, the recent unrest in Ladakh offers a moment for reflection. The people of Ladakh are among the most peace-loving and patriotic in the country. Their loyalty to the nation, their sacrifice in defending its frontiers, and their quiet perseverance in harsh terrain embody the best of India’s spirit.

The current tensions, therefore, must not be seen as a reflection of who Ladakhis are, but as a reminder of how quickly emotion can overtake engagement. Sonam Wangchuk’s controversy, and the agitation surrounding it, highlight a deeper truth, that outrage, however well-intentioned, rarely yields lasting solutions.

Since Ladakh’s reorganisation as a Union Territory, the government has invested in connectivity, renewable energy, education, and tourism. Challenges remain, as they always do in any evolving democracy, but the path to resolution lies not in confrontation, but in conversation. Progress does not emerge from street battles; it grows through the steady patience of dialogue.

The Zero-Sum Nature of Protest

Every protest imagines itself as a step toward justice. Yet, in practice, protests, especially those that turn disruptive or violent, often trap societies in a zero-sum game. Governments dig in, protesters harden, and public sympathy evaporates.

In this zero-sum equation, everyone loses something vital. The state loses time, focus, and stability. Citizens lose security and faith in institutions. The protesters themselves lose the moral clarity of their cause, their voices drowned out by the din of destruction.

In the 21st century, a time when information travels instantly, and dialogue can occur across any table, screen, or border, the idea that only anger can force attention seems obsolete. The world no longer needs revolutions that burn; it needs conversations that build.

From Fury to Dialogue

It is tempting, especially for the young, to see passion as a substitute for process. The energy of youth is invaluable, but without discipline and purpose, it becomes self-defeating. The Gen Z generation across the globe, connected, expressive, and deeply aware, has the power to redefine activism itself. But that redefinition must rest on reason, not rage.

Protest, in its most unthinking form, has become less about reform and more about spectacle. It satisfies emotion but rarely achieves outcome. Dialogue, by contrast, may be slower and less dramatic, but it remains the only mechanism through which lasting solutions emerge.

Even after the largest movements, from the Arab Spring to the recent uprisings in Asia and Europe, nations have discovered that fury without follow-through breeds only fatigue. The wheel turns, but the direction remains unchanged.

Ladakh’s Enduring Example

Ladakh offers India an opportunity to chart a better course. Its people, grounded in faith and fraternity, understand the value of patience and perseverance. They have always been partners in India’s progress, not protesters against it. The government’s willingness to engage, listen, and evolve is a reflection of the same democratic spirit that binds the country together.

What matters now is that dialogue continues, calmly, sincerely, and constructively. Every stakeholder must recognise that shouting across barricades cannot replace speaking across tables. True progress demands empathy on both sides, the humility to listen and the courage to compromise.

A Call for Wisdom Over Fury

India’s democracy thrives because it allows debate, disagreement, and dissent, but within the bounds of civility and law. In an age when anger can spread faster than reason, restraint and dialogue are not signs of weakness; they are hallmarks of maturity.

Talks are not merely an option; they are the only sustainable way forward. Even after protests and agitations, whether democratic or disruptive, dialogue is what ultimately moves societies ahead. Gen Z, and indeed all citizens, must realise that real change is born not of confrontation but of conversation.

The world does not need more revolts; it needs more reason. The mountains of Ladakh and the Himalayas beyond have witnessed centuries of endurance and wisdom. Let them stand, as they always have, not as symbols of unrest, but of resilience and peace.