Protests Erupt in Ladakh After Sonam Wangchuk’s Detention by Delhi Police

Protests Erupt in Ladakh After Sonam Wangchuk’s Detention by Delhi Police

Tuesday, hundreds of Leh citizens marched through the streets shouting, “Delhi Police, shame shame,” in protest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s incarceration. This demonstration followed Wangchuk’s arrest, along with 125 fellow activists from Ladakh, by Delhi Police at the Singhu border on Monday. Their arrest took place amid the capital’s current prohibition orders, which are scheduled to expire on October 6.

Wangchuk’s “Delhi Chalo Padyatra” was drawing closer to the border of the city, to finish at Rajghat on October 2, the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth. Commencing on September 1st, the march aimed to pressure the central government to take up talks with the leaders of Ladakh again. In their four-point manifesto, the demonstrators pushed for statehood, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the creation of a special public service commission with a fast-tracked hiring procedure, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Kargil and Leh.

Men, women, and students of all stripes came together in Leh to show their support for Wangchuk. They cried out in unison, asking to be freed and given permission to carry on his march to the nation’s capital.

Credit: ANI

Congressman Rahul Gandhi responded to the Delhi Police’s activities by posting on X (previously Twitter) with the following message: “Modi ji, like with the farmers, this ‘Chakravyuh’ will be broken, and so will your arrogance.” You must pay attention to Ladakh’s voice. He called the incarceration of senior folks “unacceptable” and opposed it. Gandhi stressed that such measures should not be taken in response to Sonam Wangchuk’s and hundreds of Ladakhis’ nonviolent protests in support of their constitutional and environmental rights.

Also Read: Delhi CM Atishi Denied Meeting with Detained Activist Sonam Wangchuk at Police Station

Sonam Wangchuk is a well-known engineer and education reformer from Ladakh who is recognized for his creative methods of teaching and promoting sustainable development. He had before held a demonstration in support of more autonomy for Ladakh on March 6 at a height of 3,500 meters in subfreezing weather.