Sonam Wangchuk, a climate activist, visits Rajghat following his release from detention


Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent climate activist, along with a group of fellow protesters from Ladakh, has been at the forefront of a significant movement aimed at securing constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory. On Wednesday evening, the group paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and later announced they had ended their fast after being released from police detention. The fast was part of a larger campaign tied to their 'Delhi Chalo Padyatra,' a month-long march that began in Leh and culminated in the capital, advocating for a range of demands crucial to Ladakh's future.

Their march, supported by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), represents a long-standing agitation that has been ongoing for four years. Among their key demands are the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which would grant the region autonomy and local control over resources, ensuring ecological protection. Other demands include the creation of a Public Service Commission for Ladakh, early recruitment processes, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts, and statehood for Ladakh. 

After submitting a formal memorandum of these demands to the government, Wangchuk said the group had been assured of a meeting with top leadership soon. He stated that within the next few days, they expect to meet with the prime minister, president, or home minister. This assurance has come from the home ministry, which has also promised that dialogue with the representatives of LAB and KDA will resume within 15 days.

The Delhi Police detained Wangchuk and around 170 participants of the 'Delhi Chalo Padyatra' on Monday night at the Singhu border, citing the imposition of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (formerly Section 144 of the CrPC), which prohibits large gatherings. The detained protesters were taken to different police stations where they went on a hunger strike. Wangchuk himself was held at the Bawana police station, while others were kept in separate stations near the Delhi-Haryana border. They were later escorted by police to Rajghat at approximately 9:30 p.m., where they paid their tributes before being released.

Wangchuk, known for his innovative efforts to combat climate change and improve education in the Ladakh region, reiterated that their core demand is the protection of Ladakh's fragile ecosystem through constitutional provisions like the Sixth Schedule. He emphasized that locals, with their deep understanding of the region’s environmental needs, are best suited to manage its resources responsibly. Wangchuk expressed optimism that the upcoming meetings with government officials would help bring about meaningful change.

The group’s demands have garnered widespread attention, not only because of their ecological importance but also due to the larger democratic aspirations of the people of Ladakh. The inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule would provide greater self-governance and a framework to address developmental challenges while preserving the region’s unique cultural and environmental heritage.

The march organized by the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance highlights the frustration that has been building in the region since Ladakh’s bifurcation from Jammu and Kashmir and its designation as a Union Territory in 2019. While the change was initially welcomed, many in Ladakh now feel that the region has been left without sufficient constitutional protections or adequate representation in governance. The LAB and KDA have spearheaded efforts to address these concerns, and the 'Delhi Chalo Padyatra' represents the latest step in their ongoing campaign.

In the aftermath of the protest and subsequent detentions, Wangchuk suggested that he might stay in Delhi for a few more days to continue pressing for a meeting with senior government officials. The police confirmed that they were released only after assurances from the group that no further demonstrations would be held in central parts of the city where the assembly of large groups is restricted under Section 163.

The next steps in this movement are crucial, as the outcome of Wangchuk’s meetings with top government leadership will determine the direction of Ladakh’s future, both in terms of ecological preservation and its democratic standing within the broader Indian political landscape. The movement has also sparked discussions about the need to address the long-term environmental challenges facing the Himalayan region, where rapid development and climate change have put immense pressure on fragile ecosystems. Wangchuk and his fellow activists hope that their efforts will lead to constitutional safeguards that ensure Ladakh’s natural beauty and resources are protected for generations to come.


 

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