Activist Sonam Wangchuk, 120 Others Detained After Walking 1,000 KM from Ladakh

The Detainees Wanted to Meet with Officials on Oct. 2, Gandhi Jayanti

Newsreel Asia Insight #324
October 1, 2024

Screenshot from X

“I am being detained... along with 150 padyatris (marchers),” tweeted climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sept. 30. Wangchuk also posted a video showing hundreds of police officers at the Delhi’s border as they proceeded towards the capital. Police claim the detainees, who had peacefully walked 1,000 kilometres from Ladakh to advocate for Ladakh’s autonomy, violated “prohibitory orders” amid a sensitive climate.

According to Wangchuk, around 1,000 police personnel were deployed at the border, with additional forces positioned at Ladakh Bhawan in Delhi and areas where Ladakhi students reside. “It appears they don’t want this padyatra (march) to take place,” Wangchuk stated, as reported by Financial Express.

The elders, women and youngsters who are participating in the march, which started from Leh a month ago, plan to meet with officials of the central government on Oct. 2, Gandhi Jayanti, marking the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The march aims for the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution as well as for statehood, accelerated recruitment processes, the establishment of a public service commission and the allocation of separate Lok Sabha seats for the Leh and Kargil districts.

“The padyatra has been a peaceful demonstration of our demands for the past four years. It seems they don’t want us to continue this journey towards achieving our constitutional rights,” Wangchuk was quoted as saying.

Delhi Police have reportedly enforced a ban on gatherings of five or more people in central and bordering areas of the city. The ban cites potential law and order disruptions from the scheduled protests. The prohibition is set to remain in effect until Oct. 5.

Police sources have told media that the detained men are expected to be released “soon.” Women participants in the march were allegedly not detained.

Ladakh, often called the “Land of High Passes,” sits in the far north of India, right up against the borders with China and Pakistan. It’s a place where Tibetan Buddhist traditions shape the culture, as visible in the old monasteries and lively festivals. The region’s harsh, rugged terrain and extreme weather conditions also define its ecological distinctiveness, supporting diverse wildlife including the snow leopard and ibex.

The people of Ladakh have expressed dissatisfaction with the central government’s governance policy, particularly after the region was designated a Union Territory without a legislature following the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. This change led to a governance structure that relies heavily on bureaucratic administration, which local leaders believe does not adequately represent the will and needs of the Ladakhi people.

The people of Ladakh view statehood as a route to enhanced self-governance, enabling elected representation and more localised decision-making to address the unique cultural and ecological needs and aspirations of the region.

The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution allows for the creation of autonomous districts in certain tribal areas, giving them greater authority over land use, public health and agriculture. This autonomy also helps protect their cultural heritage and social practices, preserving their way of life against external pressures and influences.

The establishment of a Public Service Commission in Ladakh would standardise and potentially enhance the recruitment processes for government jobs within the region. This is particularly crucial for ensuring fair and transparent employment opportunities for the local population. Such a body would help adapt job criteria and examinations to respect the local context and needs.

Currently, the entire region of Ladakh is represented by a single Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha, which may not fully reflect the diverse interests and issues of its two main districts, Leh and Kargil. Providing separate representation for each district in the lower house of Parliament would more effectively address the specific needs, cultural aspects and political issues of each district at the national level.