Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has begun an indefinite fast at Ladakh Bhawan in Delhi after being denied permission to protest at Jantar Mantar. Wangchuk and his supporters were seeking to demonstrate for Ladakh’s Sixth Schedule status, but Delhi Police rejected their request citing short notice. The ‘Delhi Chalo Padayatra’ is being spearheaded by the Leh Apex Body (LAB).
Undeterred, Wangchuk and around other protesters started their fast at Ladakh Bhawan, singing protest songs and raising slogans like “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Save Ladakh, Save Himalaya”. This move follows Wangchuk’s “Delhi Chalo Padayatra,” a month-long march from Leh advocating for statehood, a public service commission, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.
After the Delhi police denied permission to the Sonam Wangchuk and his co-protesters’ request to hold demonstration/Anshan at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on October 5, 2024.
Sharing a copy of the letter sent by Delhi Police, Wangchuk, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) said “finally this morning we got this rejection letter for the officially designated place for protests. If Jantar Mantar is not allowed then please tell us which place is allowed. We want to abide by all laws and still express our grievance in a peaceful way. Why is it so difficult to follow the path of Gandhi in his own country. There must be a way.”
ANOTHER REJECTION ANOTHER FRUSTRATION
Finally this morning we got this rejection letter for the officially designated place for protests.
If Jantar Mantar is not allowed then please tell us which place is allowed. We want to abide by all laws and still express our grievance in a… pic.twitter.com/FLnyCdA7KI— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) October 6, 2024
Delhi Police rejected climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s request to protest at Jantar Mantar, citing non-compliance with guidelines set by the Supreme Court in 2018. The guidelines require a 10-day notice period for protest applications, which wasn’t met. Additionally, Delhi Police noted that the planned demonstration lacked a specific timeframe, making it an open-ended, prolonged event, which isn’t permitted under existing laws and guidelines.
Delhi Police mentioned in its rejection order dated October 5, that the request was not in according with the guidelines framed in compliance of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India’s order dated 23.07.2018 in W.P. (C) No. 1153 of 2017 and other connected Civil Appeals No. 862, 863 and 864 of 2018. Delhi Police pointed out that the “applications for holding any protest/demonstration at Jantar Mantar shall be move at least 10 days prior to the planned event’s date.”
Notably, Delhi Police also said that planned-demonstration lack timeframe and the request of the protesters could not be acceded to, as this Anshan is going to be prolonged one. Delhi Police added that “there is no provision under the extent laws, rules and guidelines under which permission can be granted for any kind of ‘anshan’, let alone an open ended, without timeframe, mass event, as discernible from the application.”
However, on Saturday, a majority of the protesters returned to Ladakh while the remaining stayed back to join Wangchuk for the fast at Ladakh Bhawan.
Wangchuk on hunger strike at Ladakh Bhawan
Following the same, while citing frustration over not being granted an audience with India’s top leadership and permission to hold anshan at Jantar Mantar, on October 6, Wangchuk and around 18 people sat close to the gate of Ladakh Bhawan, singing the Hindi version of ‘We Shall Overcome’, and raised slogans such as ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, “Jai Ladakh ” and “Save Ladakh, Save Himalaya”
Despite being denied permission and virtually detained at Ladakh Bhawan, Wangchuk and 18 around others, including 75-year-olds and women, began their hunger strike at Ladakh Bhawan following the rejection from Delhi Police. Their 1,000 km, 32-day march from Leh to Delhi showcases unwavering resolve.
Wangchuk writes on X that “So after trying everything possible to find a legitimate place for our anshan fast in New Delhi, we have finally decided to start our fast here at Ladakh Bhavan New Delhi where I was virtually detained for the last 4 days. Among us we have 75-year-olds, women and men who walked for 32 days from Leh to Delhi… roughly 1,000 km.”
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PADYATRIS ON FAST AT LADAKH BHAVAN
So after trying everything possible to find a legitimate place for our anshan fast in New Delhi, we have finally decided to start our fast here at Ladakh Bhavan New Delhi where I was virtually detained for the last 4 days. Among us we have 75… pic.twitter.com/FeB2phQ2e5— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) October 6, 2024
Hindustan Times reported how, Wangchuk took to X on Saturday night and said that his team was looking for a place to protest all day but couldn’t find one. He also said that when they broke their fast at Rajghat, they were assured of an appointment with the top leadership within two days but it did not happen, forcing him to start the indefinite fast again.
The march’s objectives and demands
The Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance are championing a four-point agenda to safeguard Ladakh’s interests. Key Demands include Statehood for Ladakh, seeking greater self-governance, Constitutional Protections under the Sixth Schedule, to preserve tribal and cultural rights, Public Service Commission, for streamlined recruitment and administration, and Separate Lok Sabha Seats, for enhanced representation of Leh and Kargil. This agenda is central to the ongoing padyatra, a peaceful protest march from Leh to Delhi, led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, emphasizing Ladakh’s unique needs and aspirations. The marchers aim to secure a better future for Ladakh, addressing concerns around autonomy, environmental protection, and cultural preservation.
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Ladakh’s fight for autonomy: Sonam Wangchuk leads foot march to Delhi