Rahul Gandhi denounces the detention of climate advocate Sonam Wangchuk in New Delhi, calling it unacceptable as he demands accountability from PM Modi.
Rahul Gandhi denounces the detention of climate advocate Sonam Wangchuk in New Delhi, calling it unacceptable as he demands accountability from PM Modi.
In a recent incident that has stirred significant political discourse, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, expressed his disapproval over the Delhi Police's detention of renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his supporters at the Singhu border. This event transpired late Monday night amid heightened security measures, where Section 163 of the BNS was enforced at the Delhi borders, a decision announced by the police.
Rahul Gandhi took to social media platform X, condemning the actions of the Delhi Police, labeling the detention of Wangchuk and the peaceful marchers as "unacceptable". He remarked, "The detention of Sonam Wangchuk ji and hundreds of Ladakhis who were peacefully marching for environmental and constitutional rights is unacceptable." Gandhi pointed a finger at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding to know why elderly individuals were being detained for advocating for the future of Ladakh.
On late Monday evening, Sonam Wangchuk along with his supporters were taken into custody by the Delhi Police. The drastic response from law enforcement was met with backlash from various political figures and the public alike. Wangchuk, an environmental advocate and a prominent voice for Ladakh's rights, shared his plight on social media, stating, "I AM BEING DETAINED... along with 150 padyatris at Delhi Border, by a police force of hundreds, some say 1,000. Many elderly men & women in their 80s and a few dozen Army veterans... Our fate is unknown." His post also highlighted the peaceful nature of their march, which aimed to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.
The detained activists had embarked on a foot march from Leh to New Delhi, seeking to urge the central government to renew dialogue with Ladakh's leadership about pressing concerns. One of the central demands of the marchers is the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which would grant legislative powers to local communities to safeguard their land and cultural heritage. This march commenced on September 1, and as they reached Himachal Pradesh on September 14, Wangchuk reiterated the mission's goal: "We are on a mission to remind the government of the promise it made to us five years ago."
Sonam Wangchuk has long been an advocate for statehood, constitutional acknowledgment under the Sixth Schedule, and stronger protections for the fragile ecology of Ladakh. His previous protest included a nine-day fast aimed at bringing attention to the urgent need for environmental preservation and the rights of indigenous communities in the region.
The backdrop to these events is the political restructuring of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, where the region was bifurcated into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. This shift has sparked various socio-political demands and has made the calls for constitutional rights and protections even more pressing among the Ladakhi populace.
This situation raises critical questions about civil rights, environmental activism, and governmental accountability in India, highlighting the struggles faced by activists advocating for the rights of their communities.
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