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Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday urged the Centre not to do things that would make them disrespected and come out as trustworthy leaders of the country.
Speaking exclusively to India Today after being released from detention, Wangchuk also urged the central government to keep its promise of bringing Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
“The government should not do things that will make them not respected. I want to correct them and only the best of friends do that. I want to tell them to keep their promises and come out as trustworthy leaders.
Around 120 people from Ladakh, including Wangchuk, were detained by police at the Delhi border on Monday night while they were marching towards the capital to demand the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
The Sixth Schedule addresses the governance of tribal areas in specific northeastern states, including Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, by establishing “autonomous districts and autonomous regions” to safeguard the rights of indigenous communities. The marchers aim to secure similar protection for Ladakh.
When asked about the demands for a separate statehood for Ladakh, Wangchuk emphasised that it is only the wish of the people of the Union Territory and not a demand.
“Statehood is not a promise. Many people say that statehood for Ladakh was promised by the Centre, but that’s not true. It is only an appeal and demand from the people of Ladakh that they should enjoy the same fruits of democracy as the rest of India. However, the Sixth Schedule was a clear promise. You can check the manifestos of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and the 2020 Ladakh council. It was on the top agenda of the manifesto that Ladakh would be included in the Sixth Schedule,” Wangchuk explained.
The activist also questioned the reason behind delaying the demand for the last five years. “I am not against a party or for a party. I would just like to remind the government of its promises,” he said.
“I was assured by the Home Ministry that this will happen, and I am still trusting the government,” he added.
Wangchuk was leading the march, ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’, which began from Leh a month ago.
His detention was criticised by several opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, who called it “very bad” and “unacceptable”.
“The detention of Sonam Wangchuk ji and hundreds of Ladakhis peacefully marching for environmental and constitutional rights is unacceptable. Why are the elderly being detained at Delhi’s border for standing up for Ladakh’s future? Modi ji, like with the farmers, this ‘Chakravyuh’ will be broken, and so will your arrogance. You will have to listen to Ladakh’s voice,” Rahul Gandhi had posted on X.
