Congress party member Rahul Gandhi recently criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Delhi Police detained around 120 people from Ladakh, including climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. This incident occurred as part of a peaceful march organized by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), demanding greater autonomy for Ladakh.
Criticism from Rahul Gandhi
Gandhi expressed his concerns on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Modiji, as with farmers, this ‘cycle’ will be removed, and so will your arrogance. You should listen to the voice of Ladakh.” He labeled the detention of senior citizens during the protest as “unacceptable” and questioned why peaceful demonstrators were being targeted. He emphasized that Wangchuk and others were advocating for environmental and constitutional rights, making their detention particularly troubling.
According to police reports, Sonam Wangchuk and his supporters intended to spend the night at the Singhu border but were detained after ignoring orders to disperse due to prohibitory regulations in Delhi. The police took them to Alipur and other nearby stations, where they are currently held but expected to be released soon.
Context of the Protests
The ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’ aimed to address several key demands:
- Statehood for Ladakh
- Inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which would allow local governance and protect cultural identities.
- A streamlined recruitment process and a Public Service Commission for Ladakh.
- Separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.
These demands have been part of a movement ongoing for four years, particularly intensified since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which altered Ladakh’s political status.
In response to potential unrest from protests, the Delhi Police imposed a ban on gatherings of five or more people in central and border areas until October 5. This has drawn criticism from opposition leaders who view it as an infringement on democratic rights.
The situation remains tense as activists like Sonam Wangchuk continue to advocate for their rights amid increasing police presence and restrictions.