LEH, Oct 25: The people of Ladakh welcomed celebrated innovator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk with a grand reception in Leh, marking his return after nearly two months of an arduous ‘Pad Yatra’ and a hunger strike in support of Ladakh’s pressing demands. The Leh Polo Ground became the center of this heartfelt homecoming, as thousands of supporters and community leaders gathered to celebrate Wangchuk and the group of Ladakhis who undertook the journey with him. Religious and social leaders from across Ladakh expressed deep appreciation for Wangchuk and his companions’ tireless efforts, recognizing their contributions to Ladakh’s cause.
Wangchuk’s hunger strike, which he ended on the 16th day at Ladakh Bhawan in New Delhi, was a powerful call for action on Ladakh’s longstanding demands. The end of the hunger strike came after Prashant Lokhande, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, delivered a letter committing to resume talks on Ladakh’s issues on December 3, 2024. This development marked a significant breakthrough for Wangchuk, who along with 150 Ladakhi supporters, had embarked on a month-long ‘Delhi Chalo’ Pad Yatra from Leh to Delhi starting September 1. The Yatra, intended to raise awareness and put pressure on the government to resume dialogue with Ladakhi leaders, became a historic march, capturing national attention on Ladakh’s critical issues.
The journey was ceremonially initiated at the NDS Memorial Park in Leh, with Thupstan Chhewang, Chairman of the Leh Apex Body, flagging off the march in the presence of hundreds of supporters. The Pad Yatra brought together Ladakhis of all backgrounds: religious leaders, activists, young people, and elderly citizens joined Wangchuk, standing in solidarity with his demands for Ladakh’s future. The yatra aimed to secure statehood for Ladakh, the implementation of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution to protect Ladakh’s indigenous population, the establishment of a Public Service Commission (as Ladakh has not had a single gazetted post filled since it was granted Union Territory status), and an additional Lok Sabha seat for Ladakh, which currently has only one representative.
For the people of Ladakh, these demands represent more than administrative changes. With Ladakh governed by a Lieutenant Governor and without its own legislature, local aspirations and voices are often overshadowed by bureaucratic procedures that lack direct regional representation. While the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) in Leh and Kargil provide a semblance of local governance, their power remains limited under the overarching structure led by the LG. The need for expanded legislative representation, alongside protections for Ladakh’s unique cultural and demographic profile under the Sixth Schedule, is therefore seen as essential by Ladakhis to ensure sustainable development and preservation of their heritage.
The Pad Yatra itself was a grueling journey across the Himalayan terrains, moving through Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Chandigarh before finally reaching Delhi. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s Dandi March, the trek symbolized peaceful resistance and determination, as Wangchuk and his fellow travelers were driven by the same principles of non-violence and justice. Initially planned to culminate in a tribute at Raj Ghat on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, the march’s conclusion met with unexpected resistance: on September 30, as the group neared the national capital, they were intercepted and briefly detained by Delhi Police at the Singhu border. Despite this disruption, the Pad Yatris’ voices resonated, capturing national attention and pushing forward the conversation on Ladakh’s demands.