Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk and Ladakh Group End Fast After Paying Tribute to Gandhi at Rajghat in Delhi.
New Delhi:
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, along with a group of activists from Ladakh, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial at Rajghat on Wednesday evening. Following the tribute, they announced the end of their fast and confirmed their release from police detention.
Wangchuk stated that the group submitted a memorandum to the government outlining their demands for the protection of Ladakh under constitutional provisions, particularly advocating for the Sixth Schedule, which would grant locals the authority to govern and manage resources in the region. “Locals should be empowered in the Himalayas because they can best preserve it,” he emphasized.
The group has received assurances from the Home Ministry regarding a meeting with top government leaders, including the Prime Minister, President, or Home Minister, to discuss their demands. Wangchuk mentioned that they expect to confirm a meeting date within the next few days.
A senior police officer confirmed the release of Wangchuk and fellow ‘padayatris,’ stating they were allowed to leave after promising not to gather or hold any marches in the capital, due to the enforcement of Section 163. Wangchuk had been detained at the Bawana police station, while others were held at three different stations.
Wangchuk led the ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra,’ which began in Leh a month ago, attracting around 170 participants who were marching to Delhi to demand constitutional safeguards for Ladakh. The march was organized by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), who have been advocating for statehood, early recruitment processes, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.
Delhi Police had cited the imposition of Section 163, prohibiting gatherings, as the reason for their detention at Delhi’s Singhu border. Wangchuk indicated that discussions with representatives from the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance would resume within 15 days.
