Wed Oct 02 11:57:32 UTC 2024: ## Social Activist Sonam Wangchuk and 150 Supporters Detained in Delhi Again
**New Delhi:** Ladakh social activist Sonam Wangchuk and 150 other protesters were detained by Delhi Police for the second time on Tuesday night. They were prevented from entering the central area of Delhi, leading to their arrest. The protesters are currently in police custody and have been on a hunger strike since their first detention on Monday night.
Wangchuk had launched a ‘Delhi Chalo’ foot march a month ago from Leh, demanding statehood for Ladakh. On Monday evening, the protesters reached Delhi’s Singhu border and were taken into custody. They were then dispersed to different police stations.
The Delhi Police stated that the protesters were asked to return as Section 163 was in effect in Delhi till October 5th, but they refused. The police took action and detained them.
Following his first detention, Wangchuk posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating that he was detained with 1000 police officers present. He expressed concern for the well-being of the elderly protesters and questioned their fate. He stated that they were marching peacefully towards Bapu’s Samadhi (Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial) in the heart of the largest democracy.
Jigmet Paljor, the coordinator of the Leh Apex Body, criticized the detention, stating that the protesters had been held for over 24 hours without being presented before a magistrate, which he claimed was illegal. He also mentioned that Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for 36 hours, aiming to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary on October 2nd.
The protesters had traveled on foot from Leh, covering the entire distance except for the state of Haryana, where they opted for buses. It was during their journey in Haryana that they began their hunger strike.
The detention of Wangchuk and his supporters sparked outrage from several politicians and activists. Rahul Gandhi criticized the detention, questioning the need to arrest elderly citizens who were fighting for the future of Ladakh. He also predicted that this, like the farmer’s bill, would eventually backfire due to the government’s arrogance.
Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president, termed the detention a cowardly action fueled by the Modi government’s lust for power. He accused the government of favoring its friends and asserted that the fight against them is far from over.
Atishi, AAP leader, spoke about the people of Ladakh’s demand for statehood and the unjust detention of Wangchuk and his supporters who were trying to visit Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial. She criticized the BJP government’s authoritarianism and expressed support for Wangchuk.
Sonam Wangchuk has been a vocal advocate for Ladakh’s statehood, demanding reservation for locals in employment, a separate parliamentary seat for Leh and Kargil, and the implementation of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
In March this year, he had undertaken a 21-day hunger strike, ending it with a promise to continue the fight until his demands were met. Wangchuk has spoken out about the weakening of democracy in Ladakh, even comparing the situation to Pakistan.
This latest development highlights the escalating tension surrounding the demand for statehood for Ladakh and the government’s response to these peaceful protests.
First Piper 