Sonam Wangchuk’s peaceful march ends in detention of Sonam and 120 supporters, protests erupt in Ladakh

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and approximately 120 supporters were detained by Delhi Police at the city's borders on the night of September 30, 2023. Wangchuk, known for his environmental activism and advocacy for Ladakh’s autonomy, was leading a peaceful march, “Delhi Chalo Padyatra,” from Leh to New Delhi.

The march aimed to demand the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which provides special autonomy and governance rights to tribal areas in India. Wangchuk and his supporters were stopped before entering the national capital, sparking significant unrest among his followers and in Ladakh.

Purpose of the march

The Sixth Schedule currently applies to tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, allowing these regions to form autonomous councils with legislative, executive, and financial powers. Ladakh’s demand for this status is rooted in concerns that the Union Territory’s unique identity and ecological balance are at risk without constitutional safeguards.

Wangchuk and his group had travelled for a month across various regions, gathering momentum for their cause. The march was organised by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), groups that have been leading the agitation for Ladakh's statehood and protection of the region’s cultural identity.

As the padyatrist approached Delhi, they were met with heavy police deployment at the Singhu border. Despite expectations that they were being escorted, Wangchuk revealed in a social media post that the group was, in fact, being detained. Delhi Police cited prohibitory orders banning gatherings of five or more people, and concerns about potential law and order disruptions as reasons for the detainment.

The detained marchers were taken to various police stations near the border, with Wangchuk and others kept at Bawana Police Station, where Delhi Chief Minister Atishi was later prevented from meeting them. Supporters of Wangchuk were also placed in other police stations, although women marchers were reportedly not detained.

Backlash in Ladakh

The detentions have led to a strong backlash in Ladakh, where the KDA and LAB called for a bandh (shutdown) across the Union Territory. In Leh and Kargil, shops remained closed, and protestors voiced their demands for Wangchuk’s release and for the government to recognize their call for Ladakh’s autonomy.

Hajan Fathima Bano, an 87-year-old activist, expressed deep concern over the detention, stating, “They didn’t go to engage in conflict; they went to advocate for the Sixth Schedule on behalf of the people of Ladakh. We are willing to give our lives for them. They shouldn’t be held captive.”

Peaceful movement and criticism of police

Wangchuk has consistently emphasised that the march was non-violent and aimed at pressing the Indian government to prioritise Ladakh’s rights. The Delhi Police, meanwhile, have imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (previously Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code), banning large gatherings in New Delhi, North, and Central districts, as well as areas along the border, until October 5, 2023.

The heavy-handed response to the peaceful march has drawn criticism, especially in light of Wangchuk’s stature as a respected climate activist and innovator. His post on social media shortly before his detention highlighted the scale of the police presence, stating that about 1,000 personnel had been deployed to block their entry into Delhi. He expressed frustration that a peaceful march intended to draw attention to the plight of Ladakhis had been thwarted in such a manner, underscoring the irony of being detained in "the world’s largest democracy.”

(With inputs from agencies)