Delhi police have arrested renowned environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk along with hundreds of his supporters at the Singhu border. In response to these events, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, criticized the police’s treatment of peaceful protesters, calling it unacceptable.
Furthermore, Gandhi condemned the police for detaining Wangchuk and the Ladakhis who marched for their environmental and constitutional rights. He asked, “Why do authorities stop adults standing up for the future of Ladakh at the Delhi border? Ladakh’s voice should be heard.”
Meanwhile, Wangchuk and 150 supporters faced arrest late on Monday night while they marched towards Mahatma Gandhi’s tomb. He shared updates on social media platform X, stating, “We were peacefully marching when police intervened. They detained me and 150 associates, including many elderly individuals over 80 years old and a few dozen army jawans. We don’t know what will happen next.”
In light of the situation, Delhi police enforced Section 163 of the BNS Act, which restricts social workers’ movement within city limits.
Additionally, the marchers, including seniors, began their journey from Leh in September to urge the government to initiate talks with Ladakh’s leadership. One of their main demands is to include Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, thereby granting local residents greater autonomy to protect their land and cultural identity.
Ultimately, Wangchuk’s protest follows a nine-day hunger strike in Leh earlier this year, aimed at raising awareness about Ladakh’s fragile environment and the need to protect its tribal communities.