New Delhi: Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, who began his month-long padyatra from Leh in Ladakh on September 1, reached Delhi on Monday, where he and 150 of his supporters were detained by Delhi Police at the Singhu border. Despite the obstacles, Wangchuk believes the challenges helped amplify his message of environmental protection and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh.
Wangchuk led the ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’ in a bid to raise awareness and demand protection for Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which grants special rights to tribal areas. He is also advocating for the restoration of statehood for the Union Territory. After walking the entire route from Haryana to Delhi, Wangchuk and his group faced difficulties upon arrival but remained resolute in their cause.
On Wednesday evening, after 36 hours in police custody, Wangchuk and the group paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial, Rajghat, marking the end of both their detention and Wangchuk’s hunger strike. The activist reported that they had submitted a memorandum to the government outlining their demands and were promised a meeting with the highest levels of leadership soon.
“More than 150 pedestrians walked all the way from Leh to Delhi, facing difficulties but, as they say, whatever happens, happens for good,” Wangchuk said. “Our message of environmental protection has reached many more people due to these challenges.”
Wangchuk highlighted the significance of the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh, saying, “This provision of the Indian Constitution will protect the rights of tribal and indigenous people, giving them authority in management and governance. We are hopeful of a meeting with Prime Minister Modi, the President, or the Home Minister in the coming days.”
The padyatra participants were released on Wednesday evening after assurances from the police that they would not gather or organise any further demonstrations due to Section 144 restrictions in central Delhi. Wangchuk was detained at Bawana police station, while the other participants were held in three separate police stations on the Delhi-Haryana border. At around 9:30 pm, police escorted the group to Rajghat, allowing them to continue their journey after paying their respects to Mahatma Gandhi.
Wangchuk’s padyatra, involving 170 people, had gathered momentum as the group travelled from Leh, calling for security measures for Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule and restoration of democracy in the region.