Delhi CM Atishi Supports Ladakh Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s Fight for Statehood
New Delhi, October 1: Delhi Chief Minister Atishi visited Bawana police station to meet detained protesters from Ladakh but was not allowed to meet Sonam Wangchuk, the activist leading the protest for Ladakh’s autonomy.
Atishi stated, “People of Ladakh want statehood. Sonam Wangchuk and the people of Ladakh, who were going to visit Bapu’s Samadhi, were arrested. They did not let me meet Sonam Wangchuk. This is the dictatorship of the BJP. We fully support Sonam Wangchuk.”
She criticized the BJP and claimed that the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi had a role in preventing her from meeting the protesters. Atishi said, “I am fully confident that these police officers must have received a call from LG Sahab that the representative of the elected government, Delhi CM should not be allowed to meet Sonam Wangchuk. We strongly condemn it. Ladakh should get the status of a full state and Delhi should also get the status of a full state.”
Atishi further accused the central government of undermining democracy and expressed confidence that the BJP’s rule would end if such actions continued.
Meanwhile, a large number of people gathered in Ladakh to protest against the detention of their fellow citizens in the national capital. Protesters in Leh demanded the release of Sonam Wangchuk and chanted slogans of “Delhi Police Shame Shame.”
Ladakh MP Haji Hanifa arrived at the Singhu border between Delhi and Haryana after the detentions. Hanifa mentioned that Ladakh had been peacefully fighting for their rights and had talks with the government, which stopped after the elections. He said, “We set out on foot from Leh under the banner of Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and Apex Body to present our views to the government. After Wangchuk was detained by the police, we marched to discuss our issues with the government. However, Wangchuk and the members, including several women, were detained at different areas.”
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his supporters were detained by Delhi Police at the Singhu border on Monday night. Section 163 of the BNS has been imposed at Delhi borders, said Delhi Police. Wangchuk and other volunteers were on a foot march from Leh to New Delhi to urge the Centre to resume dialogue with Ladakh’s leadership regarding their demands. One of their key demands is for Ladakh to be included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, granting law-making powers to the local population to protect their land and cultural identity.
Doubts Revealed
Delhi CM -: Delhi CM stands for Delhi Chief Minister. The Chief Minister is the head of the government in Delhi, which is the capital city of India.
Atishi -: Atishi is a politician and the current Chief Minister of Delhi. She is known for her work in education and governance.
Ladakh -: Ladakh is a region in the northern part of India. It is known for its beautiful mountains and unique culture.
Activist -: An activist is a person who works to bring about social or political change. They often protest or campaign for their causes.
Sonam Wangchuk -: Sonam Wangchuk is an engineer and education reformer from Ladakh. He is famous for his innovative ideas and efforts to improve education in the region.
Statehood -: Statehood means becoming a state. In this context, it means Ladakh wants to become a separate state with its own government.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party. It is one of the major political parties in India.
Delhi LG -: Delhi LG stands for Delhi Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor is a representative of the central government in Delhi.
MP -: MP stands for Member of Parliament. An MP is a person elected to represent a region in the Parliament of India.
Haji Hanifa -: Haji Hanifa is a Member of Parliament from Ladakh. He represents the people of Ladakh in the Indian Parliament.
Singhu border -: The Singhu border is a location on the outskirts of Delhi. It became well-known during the farmers’ protests in India.
Centre -: In this context, ‘Centre’ refers to the central government of India, which is responsible for the entire country.
Constitutional protections -: Constitutional protections are rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of India. These protections ensure that people are treated fairly and justly.