New Delhi: Environment activist from Ladakh Sonam Wangchuk who was on a peaceful march along with his supporters to the national capital, was detained by Delhi police at the Singhu border on Monday night, the activist informed from his X handle. “Our fate is unknown. We were on a most peaceful march to Bapu’s Samadhi… in the largest democracy in the world, the mother of democracy…(sic),” Wangchuk said.

Posting a video during his detention, the activist said, “I am being detained along with 150 padyatris at Delhi Border, by a police force of 100s, some say 1,000. Many elderly men and women in their 80s and few dozen Army veterans,” he said.

Opposition Calls Detention ‘Unacceptable’

Meanwhile, opposition leaders criticised Wangchuk’s detention, including Congress’ Rahul Gandhi, calling it ‘Unacceptable’. “Why are elderly citizens being detained at Delhi’s border for standing up for Ladakh’s future? Modi ji, like with the farmers, this ‘Chakravyuh’ will be broken, and so will your arrogance. You will have to listen to Ladakh’s voice,” the leader of opposition said slamming the Modi government.

While, Aam Aadmi Party leaders including former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal slammed the central government against Wangchuk’s detention saying “everyone has the right to come to the national capital.”

What Is ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’

More than 100 volunteers led by renowned innovator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk were a foot march from Ladakh to New Delhi to urge the central goverment to resume the stalled dialogue on Ladakh’s four-point agenda.

The ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’ was org.zed by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), which along with Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), are spearheading an agitation over the past four years in support of statehood, extension of the Constitution’s sixth schedule, early recruitment process along with a public service commission for Ladakh and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.

The talks between Ladakh representatives and the Central government ended in March without any concrete outcome.


Rahul Dev

Cricket Jounralist at Newsdesk

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