The detention of Educationist and Environment activist Sonam Wangchuk along with hundreds of padyatris by Delhi Police at Singhu border before entering Delhi has evoked strong reaction in Ladakh and Kargil regions and wide condemnation from the opposition leaders.
As per a report from Leh, complete bandh was observed in Ladakh and protests in Kargil on Tuesday. In Leh people came out on streets and a massive rally was held to protest his arrest.
Opposition leaders including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for detaining environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk and approximately 150 volunteers.
While Kharge described the action against Wangchuk as “cowardly” and “undemocratic,” Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the BJP would not gain anything from it.
Wangchuk and hundreds of padyatris on a long march to Delhi from Leh were detained as they were about to finish their march from Leh to New Delhi as their march was to conclude on October 2, at Rajghat.
The padyatris are highlighting problems of Ladakh region and demanding inclusion of Ladakh in 6th schedule. More importantly Wangchuk is raising the issue of saving the Himalayan culture and environment, besides making people aware about the impending danger of Global Warming.
While Sonam Wangchuk and other padyatris under detention have decided to abandon food during the detention, the Delhi Police stopped Delhi Chief Minister Atishi from meeting Sonam Wangchuck today.
