Ladakh climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was detained for nearly 36 hours by Delhi Police while protesting with 150 others from Ladakh. They were stopped at the Singhu border as they entered the capital. Wangchuk’s protest, called the ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra,’ was aimed at raising awareness about environmental conservation and pushing for Ladakh’s protection under the Constitution.
Despite the challenges faced due to his detention, Wangchuk was happy that his message about protecting Ladakh’s environment reached a wider audience. He explained that the march was part of efforts to get the government to engage with Ladakh’s leadership. They also submitted a memorandum to the government, asking for protection of the Himalayas under constitutional provisions.
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Wangchuk emphasized the need for Schedule 6 of the Indian Constitution to protect the people of Ladakh. This schedule would give local communities more control over the region's governance. He also shared that the Union Home Ministry assured him of a meeting with top Indian leaders, including the Prime Minister, President, or Home Minister, to discuss these concerns.
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, also criticized the detention of Wangchuk and the elderly protesters. He called the action unacceptable and compared it to the treatment of farmers during their protests, stating that the government would eventually have to listen to Ladakh’s demands.