Sonam Wangchuk Detained: Rahul Gandhi Condemns Police Action, Demands Respect for Peaceful Protests

Approximately 120 Ladakhis, including Sonam Wangchuk, were detained by the Delhi Police at the capital’s border while marching to demand Sixth Schedule status for the Union Territory. The peaceful protesters, advocating for both environmental preservation and constitutional rights, were stopped and held by authorities before reaching their destination.

In a statement on X, Gandhi expressed his disapproval of the detentions: “The detention of Sonam Wangchuk ji and hundreds of Ladakhis, who were peacefully marching for their environmental and constitutional rights, is entirely unacceptable.” He further questioned why elderly citizens, along with others standing for Ladakh’s future, were being restrained at the borders of Delhi.

Drawing a parallel with the farmers’ protests, Gandhi warned that, like before, the government’s attempts to suppress the voices of the people would fail. “Modi ji, just like the farmers, this ‘Chakravyuh’ will be dismantled, and your arrogance will crumble. You will have to listen to Ladakh’s voice,” he remarked, underscoring the inevitability of Ladakh’s concerns being addressed.

In a video posted on Instagram shortly before his detention, Sonam Wangchuk provided real-time updates from the border where their buses were halted by a heavy police presence. In the video, Wangchuk can be seen speaking with police officials, and he expressed his dismay at the situation. Initially, the group believed they were being escorted into the capital, but it soon became clear they were being detained.

Wangchuk described the situation, noting the large police deployment of approximately 1,000 personnel at the Delhi border. He was informed that heightened security measures were in place at Ladakh Bhawan in Delhi, as well as in areas where students from Ladakh resided. “It appears that they do not want to allow this padyatra to proceed,” Wangchuk said, highlighting the efforts being made to prevent the march.