Rahul Gandhi has called the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and other residents of Ladakh “unacceptable,” emphasizing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must heed the concerns of Ladakh.
Around 120 individuals from Ladakh, including Wangchuk, were detained by the Delhi Police at the capital’s border after they marched to demand Sixth Schedule status for the Union Territory. In a statement on X, Gandhi criticized the imprisoning of peaceful protesters advocating for environmental and constitutional rights, and questioned why elderly citizens were also being detained for advocating Ladakh’s future.
He warned Modi that, similar to the farmers’ protests, this “Chakravyuh” would eventually be overcome, and that the government would have to listen to the people of Ladakh. Just before his detention, Wangchuk posted on Instagram showing their buses halted at the Delhi border amid a heavy police presence, noting that they initially thought they were being escorted, but realized they were actually facing detention. He reported that approximately 1,000 police officers were deployed to prevent their march, indicating an apparent effort to block the padyatra.
The march was organized by the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, who have been advocating for statehood for Ladakh, its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, expedited recruitment processes, and separate Lok Sabha seats for the Leh and Kargil districts. Moreover, the Delhi Police had issued a ban on gatherings larger than five people in central and bordering areas for six days, citing concerns over law and order in light of planned protests by various organizations.
