Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, 150 others released, break fast at Rajghat

Wangchuk’s ‘Dilli Chalo’ march, which started on September 1 in Leh, aims to raise awareness about climate change and its impact, particularly in the Himalayas and the Ladakh region. He has also demanded Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh, a Union Territory.

During a press conference Tuesday, members of the Apex Body of Leh had criticised authorities for the detentions and for not allowing padyatris to pay their respects to Gandhi. In response, Wangchuk and the detained activists staged a hunger strike at different police stations where they had been kept.

By 1.30 pm, it was learnt that Wangchuk and activists would be allowed to visit Rajghat. Soon after, supporters from Ladakh gathered in anticipation of his arrival. However, he was not allowed to reach Rajghat till 9.50 pm, as his vehicle was stopped en route. Despite this delay, several detained activists, following their release, were allowed to visit Rajghat in groups under heavy police presence. The detainees were welcomed by their supporters, mostly Ladakhi students based in Delhi, who presented them with ceremonial scarves known as ‘Khata,’ a symbol of good luck.

Throughout the day, five-six buses, filled with activists, arrived at Rajghat. After paying their respects to Gandhi, they broke their fast. Thereafter, they were asked to leave on the same buses.

When Wangchuk finally arrived, the crowd chanted “Sher aaya, Sher aaya” and “We want the Sixth Schedule.”

“More than 150 padyatris reached Delhi from Leh. After arriving, we faced some challenges, but everything happens for a reason. It helped spread our message about protecting the environment. On Gandhi Jayanti, we are here to talk about his important message of environmentalism. We would like to remind the people of Delhi to live simply so others can live too,” Wangchuk said after breaking his fast at Rajghat.

He added, “We have given a memorandum to the government, requesting Ladakh to be protected under constitutional provisions that safeguard the Himalayas. In Ladakh’s case, the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution protects tribal and local people, giving them authority over the management and governance of Ladakh. I’ve received assurances from the Home Ministry that I will soon meet with India’s highest leadership — the Prime Minister, the President, or the Home Minister. We are demanding the restoration of democracy through statehood and implementation of the Sixth Schedule.

In the memorandum, the padyatris, representing the Apex Body, Kargil Development Authority, and the people of Ladakh, appealed to the government to resume talks within 15 days to address the immediate concerns of Ladakh’s people, which have been pending since February this year.