Wed Oct 02 02:19:47 UTC 2024: ## Peaceful March to Delhi Turns Tense as Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk and 150 Others Detained

**New Delhi, September 30:** A peaceful march dubbed the “Delhi Chalo Padyatra” led by renowned environmentalist and activist Sonam Wangchuk, aimed at highlighting pressing issues facing Ladakh, has ended in an unexpected confrontation with law enforcement. The march, which began on September 1 with over 100 participants, including elderly individuals, women, and army veterans, was intended to reach Rajghat in Delhi by October 2, coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday.

However, upon reaching the Singhu border in Delhi, the marchers were met with a heavy police presence, reportedly numbering in the hundreds. This led to the detention of Wangchuk and approximately 150 other participants, leaving their fate uncertain. The motivation behind the padyatra lies in the changing political landscape of Ladakh since it was designated as a Union Territory in 2019. While initially welcomed by residents who anticipated greater local autonomy, the promised control has not materialized.

The lack of a Legislative Assembly and public representation has left local concerns, particularly those regarding ecological sustainability and the preservation of indigenous culture, largely unaddressed. Residents express growing anxiety over the region’s fragile ecology, threatened by increased tourism and development plans. Water scarcity, attributed to shifting water patterns and tourist activity, exacerbates these concerns.

The participants’ demands include the extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution to Ladakh, designed to safeguard the rights of indigenous and tribal communities. They are also calling for the establishment of a Legislative Assembly in Ladakh, granting them a Chief Minister and greater autonomy over local governance.

The detention of Wangchuk and other participants has sparked widespread concern and calls for support from across India. Social media campaigns, including the hashtag #FriendsOfLadakh, have emerged to amplify their message. Wangchuk, while in detention, has reiterated that the issues faced by Ladakh resonate beyond its borders, calling for collective action from all Indians to support the fight for indigenous rights and environmental protection.

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