A 12-year-old Indian climate activist Licypriya Kangujam stormed onto the stage of COP28UAE and screamed at the world leaders to compensate poor countries for polluting the climate. Licypriya Kangujam's protest took place in Dubai where laws against protest are too strict. Not only this, the UAE authorities had to escort Licypriya Kangujam from the stage while she continued to scream at the world from the biggest stage of the climate summit. As a result, Licypriya Kangujam was also detained by the UAE authorities. As a result, Licypriya Kangujam's video is going viral on social media and netizens seem divided over her gesture.
Licypriya Kangujam shared her COP28UAE video and wrote, "Here is the full video of my protest today disrupting the UN High-Level Plenary Session of #COP28UAE. They detained me for over 30 minutes after this protest. My only crime - Asking to Phase Out Fossil Fuels, the top cause of climate crisis today. Now they kicked me out of COP28.
I'm a child who is completely frustrated by today's climate crisis. We are the first line of victims. I feel the core issues of phasing out fossil fuels are keeping in side in the negotiations process going on in the COP28 with over 2500 fossil fuel lobbyists.
After thinking many times, I decided to do this protest. Even my mom tried to stop me but I convinced her that "Everything will be alright". I am taking the risks of my life because I want to save our Planet and our Future.
My voice deserve to be heard by the world. Let's stand together by uniting, instead of dividing. See you tomorrow again at the last day of COP28."
Who is Licypriya Kangujam?
Licypriya Kangujam, 12 is an Indian climate activist who comes from the Meiti tribe in Northeast India. Licypriya delivered a short speech after rushing onto the stage at the COP28 summit in Dubai. The teenager protested against the use of fossil fuels. In the video, Licypriya Kangujam demanded to "End fossil fuels. Save our planet and our future".
Notably, Licypriya's father Kanarjit Kangujam aka Dr. KK Singh was arrested in May this year by Delhi Police Special Cell. Licy's father was arrested in a fraud case. Singh had procured several fake documents and signatures, using which he showcased himself as a prominent personality, handling international schemes. He had even got himself photographed with many international personalities.
Kanarjit Kangujam reportedly collected crores of rupees through illegal means in the name of helping the families of those killed in the earthquake and subsequent rescue and relief work.