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Sonam Wangchuk, along with 150 other Ladakhis, was detained by Delhi Police at the Singhu Border while leading the “Chalo Dilli” constitutional and climate march.

On 30 September, Sonam Wangchuk was detained by Delhi Police for allegedly violating prohibitory orders. Wangchuk, along with 150 other padyatris, was detained under Section 163 of the BNS. The march, organized by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and led by Sonam Wangchuk, began in Leh on 1 September. It was set to conclude at Delhi’s Rajghat on Gandhi Jayanti, 2 October, with a public gathering planned at Jantar Mantar on 3 October. The march aimed to peacefully advocate for key demands, including statehood for Ladakh, constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule to protect the interests of Ladakh’s tribal population, the establishment of a Public Service Commission, job reservations for Ladakhi youth, and the creation of separate parliamentary constituencies for Leh and Kargil.

“We thought we were being escorted, but instead we were being detained,” said Wangchuk in a video posted on Instagram.

Delhi CM Atishi claimed that she was disallowed from meeting the detained leader at Bawana police station. She emphasized an end to LG rule in both Ladakh and Delhi. Atishi, in a post on X said,

“This dictatorship is not right. Sonam Wangchuk ji and the people of Ladakh are also fighting against LG rule, fighting to get full statehood status for Ladakh. The people of Delhi stand with the people of Ladakh.”

Reactions from other party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, also surfaced, with Gandhi condemning the detainment as unacceptable. Ladakh MP Haji Hanifa Jan expressed disappointment, stating it was unfortunate that the people of Ladakh were denied the right to carry out a peaceful march in the capital and were stopped at the border. “We urge the government to provide us a place where we can submit a memorandum to PM Modi or hold talks with the leadership to resolve this issue”, he said.

Section 163 of the BNS, which restricts gatherings of four or more people, has been imposed in Delhi until October 5th. Among those reportedly detained are elderly citizens and army veterans, who are now being held in various police stations across the city. Previously, in March, Wangchuk also held a 21-day hunger strike, dubbed a “climate fast,” to raise the same four key demands.

Featured Image Credits: Sonam Wangchuk’s X profile

Bhavana Bhaskar

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Life in a metropolitan city might give you a capitalistic luxury but it will seldom give you a natural satisfaction. Tall buildings build barriers in the mind, tricky roads keep us busy with worldly questions, and the smoke often rises up in our heads and blocks our tendency to feel.
Trees appear a grotesque brown at times, and sometimes we use them to fill the great lack of nature and its soothing properties. I think it’s primarily because a metro is so altered from the natural that we feel disconnected.
Hence, one must always take some time off to visit unaltered spaces. It refills and rejuvenates. The unaltered beauty of nature gives answers to your hopelessness. It makes you feel connected and provides you with a purpose or reaffirms the purpose you had been striving for.
One of the places to refill and rejuvenate is located at an altitude of about 3500m in Jammu and Kashmir’s region, Leh in Ladakh.
There are innumerable reasons why you must visit it, mentioned below are only a few:

1. The journey via Manali or via Srinagar

We all know how highways can be very fascinating. This one is ethereal. The vacation begins with the journey and you are in awe at every single moment. The journey is a bit adventurous because of the rough road at some places. Nevertheless it is absolutely worth it.
We often take a nap during long journeys. This one is about 12 hours (via Srinagar) and you won’t even blink your eye because every single minute has you struck by a wow moment.

2. You get to know that huge barren stones can be beautiful

On the top of Zojila ( Via Srinagar-Leh Highway) you actually see the landscapes changing from green to totally barren. Behind you are huge green mountains and when you see ahead, the mountains awe you in your mind with their naked beauty.

3. You see views that you have never seen before

While you might be thinking that this write-up is landing into clichés,you are probably wrong. Your journey towards Leh is very obviously and undoubtedly going to give you visions that you have never seen before. For instance, you get to see huge rocks shining under the sun besides mountain tops where the snow actually appears to be velvety.

4. Your geography book comes to life

All your “Weathering and Types of rocks” lessons come to life on your way to Leh. The different coloured rocks which you had only seen in print now appear huge and bold. Your are spellbound with huge mountains of stone with colours of blue, green, purple and hues of brown. While this might seem unreal, the beauty is in the fact that it is not.

5. Leh, the town

When you reach Leh you catch the flavour instantly. It is very typical and extremely beautiful. At almost every kilometer you find Buddhist prayer wheels. They are exquisite and intricate besides being very colourful. The architecture is different and fascinating. Old palaces and monasteries against the backdrop of boundless naked mountains appear aesthetic. Predominantly the area is filled with Buddhists but it has a fair share of Muslims too. The main market of Leh is filled with shops which sell local or typically Ladakhi products. However you can also find western wear in the market. Adjacent are other street markets like Moti Market and Tibetan market.
If you have been to Majnu ka Tila in North Delhi, you would probably be leading your group like a guide. The market is very similar to MKT in a lot of ways.

6. Pangong Lake, Palaces, Monasteries and more

While you can google your senses off with the pictures of these places and introduce yourself to the heaven you can possibly visit, there are other good things about such destinations too. On your way to these destinations, you experience the surreal. The roads to these places are amidst and often above the mountains. Everything seems unaltered. You feel like a new born person and re-discover the meaning of life in these untouched places. Lakes like The Pangong are a treat to your eyes because of magnificent colors and shades.

In addition, The Gomphas or the Monasteries such as Thiskey Gompha and Hemmis Gompha (Monastery) are also aesthetically pleasing. They are rich with details of the Buddhist way of life. Shanti stupa, Leh Palace, Sheh palace are some other attractive places you could visit.

The above mentioned reasons seem plausible enough to get you packing your bags already. Do not fly to Leh. Hit the road with a bus, a car, mountain cycles or yes; a motor bike. Keep your cameras handy, your face selfie ready and your mind prepared to get mesmerized!

It’s a high mountain desert; you might want to put those shades on it!