Govt wants to brand people of Ladakh as anti-national: Sonam Wangchuk's big claim | VIDEO

Sonam Wangchuk, the climate activist, expressed worries about attempts to arrest peaceful young leaders and even musicians ahead of the Pashmina march along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Climate activists, pointing to the use of "barricades, smoke grenades, and disproportionate force," claimed that Leh is being transformed into a combat zone.

LEH IS BEING TURNED INTO A WAR ZONE
with disproportionate force, barricades, smoke grenades.
Attempts to arrest peaceful youth leaders even singers continue. Seems they want to turn a most peaceful movement violent & then brand Ladakhis as anti-nationals.
Govt seems worried… pic.twitter.com/851iI8ZWHY

— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) April 6, 2024

Section 144 enforced in Leh on April 7

Sonam Wangchuk declared the "Pashmina march" in territories that fall under the Line of Actual Control (LAC). In Leh, Ladakh, section 144 was enforced shortly after the declaration. Wangchuk, who said that there was no need for such rigorous discipline in the area because people had been peacefully protesting for a few weeks, strongly criticized the decision.

Section 144 Crpc imposed by District Magistrate Leh.
Violation of DM order shall invite punitive action under law.@ADGP_Ladakh @shrutiarora_IPS pic.twitter.com/NboS4IBmly

— Leh Police (@LehPolice) April 5, 2024

Arrests of nonviolent demonstrators 

The engineer-turned-education reformist detailed an incident in which some people were brought from the protest location to the police station in his almost 6-minute video. Wangchuk claimed that they were intimidated with arrest threats and coerced into signing documents at the station. Sonam Wangchuk claimed in his video that after local religious leaders of all religions went to the police station to request their release, the situation was calmed. 

Violence against Gandhian's philosophy?

Wangchuk's initiatives are in line with the larger fight in Ladakh for independence and the protection of the region's natural and cultural assets. Through public mobilization and emphasising the gravity of the issue, his goal is to force the government to attend to the problems of the region and protect its interests from outside threats. A calm yet unwavering declaration of Ladakh's rights and ambitions, the "Pashmina march" echoes Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolent resistance to hardship.

Wangchuk Demands Bharo Andolan's Arrest

To protest the government's inaction and plans to start a non-cooperation movement in Ladakh, Wangchuk has called for a "jail bharo andolan" (fill the jails movement) in addition to the march. The aim of these measures is to increase the voices advocating for Ladakh's constitutional protection and statehood, especially under the Sixth Schedule, and to put pressure on the administration. Previous demonstrations in Ladakh that brought together representatives of the Muslim and Buddhist communities highlight the broad support for these objectives, which have been outlined by the Kargil Democratic Alliance and the Apex Body of Leh.

Who is Wangchuk?

Sonam Wangchuk, a climate activist, issued a warning on Saturday regarding the volatile situation in Ladakh, stating that despite nonviolent rallies, the area is "evolving into a war zone." He expressed concern as well about section 144's implementation in Leh
The "Pashmina March," which is slated for April 7 in Ladakh, is being led by climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk. The purpose of the march is to protest against Chinese incursions into ecologically sensitive areas and to raise awareness about the alleged encroachment of grazing land by China. The goal of the march is to raise awareness of the local issues that the area faces, and it is reminiscent of Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi march.

Sonam Wangchuk is protesting, but why?

Wangchuk, who gained notoriety for his inspirational performance in the movie "3 Idiots," just finished a 21-day hunger strike in support of Ladakh's statehood and the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution's protection of tribal rights. With hundreds expected to attend, including participants from Maharashtra and Mumbai, Wangchuk wants to inspire support for the cause of Ladakh. He said that China had illegally taken control of more than 4,000 square kilometers of territory in the area, calling for immediate action to protect territorial integrity. Local shepherds will accompany the "Pashmina march," leading participants to the grazing pastures along the India-China border so they can see firsthand the level of invasion.