Ladakh Activist Sonam Wangchuk Marches for Democracy and Environmental Conservation
Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk is calling for the restoration of democracy in Ladakh through statehood and protection under Schedule 6 of the Indian constitution. After being released from the Bawana Police Station, Wangchuk paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary at Rajghat.
Wangchuk stated, “We have given a memorandum to the government that Ladakh is to be protected under constitutional provisions that can protect Himalaya. In the case of Ladakh, there is Schedule 6 of the Indian constitution, which protects tribal and local people and gives them the authority regarding the management and governance of Ladakh.”
He added, “I have been given this assurance by the Home Ministry that in the days to come, I’ll get to meet India’s highest leadership–the PM, the president or the Home Minister… I have demanded the restoration of democracy through statehood and also through Schedule 6.”
Wangchuk also urged people to conserve the environment and live simply, quoting Mahatma Gandhi, “There is enough for everyone’s needs but not for everyone’s greed.”
Wangchuk and around 120 others from Ladakh were detained by Delhi Police while marching from Leh to Delhi to demand constitutional safeguards for Ladakh. The march, organized by the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, began on September 1 and was set to culminate at Rajghat on October 2, Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary.
Doubts Revealed
Ladakh -: Ladakh is a region in the northern part of India, known for its beautiful mountains and unique culture.
Activist -: An activist is a person who works to bring about social or political change.
Sonam Wangchuk -: Sonam Wangchuk is a well-known engineer and education reformer from Ladakh, famous for his work in improving education and the environment.
Democracy -: Democracy is a system of government where people have the power to choose their leaders through voting.
Environmental Conservation -: Environmental conservation means protecting nature and the environment so that it remains healthy and clean.
Statehood -: Statehood means becoming a state within a country, which gives a region more control over its own laws and government.
Schedule 6 -: Schedule 6 of the Indian constitution provides special protections and rights to certain regions and their people.
Detention -: Detention means being held by the police or authorities, usually because of some legal issue.
Mahatma Gandhi -: Mahatma Gandhi was a leader who helped India gain independence from British rule through non-violent protests.
Leh -: Leh is a town in Ladakh, known for its beautiful landscapes and Buddhist monasteries.
Delhi -: Delhi is the capital city of India, where the central government is located.
Constitutional safeguards -: Constitutional safeguards are special protections written in the constitution to ensure the rights and safety of people.
Leh Apex Body -: The Leh Apex Body is a group of leaders and organizations in Leh that work together to address local issues.
Kargil Democratic Alliance -: The Kargil Democratic Alliance is a group of leaders and organizations in Kargil, another town in Ladakh, that work together for the region’s development.
