Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Tuesday alleged that she was not allowed to meet climate activist Sonam Wangchuk outside Bawana Police Station. Atishi claimed she was stopped by Delhi Police while she was on her way to meet Wangchuk, who has been demanding autonomy for Ladakh.
Atishi took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her grievances, alleging that the police acted on the instructions of the Lieutenant Governor (LG). She said she was informed that "LG Sahab called and said not to let me meet the elected Chief Minister." She criticised this action, calling it "dictatorship" and argued that such interference was unacceptable in a democracy.
In her post, Atishi highlighted her support for the people of Ladakh and their ongoing fight against the LG rule, as well as their demand for full statehood for Ladakh.
She expressed that the people of Delhi stand in solidarity with the people of Ladakh, and reiterated that LG rule should end both in Ladakh and Delhi, giving them full statehood status.
The Delhi Chief Minister accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of stifling democratic rights and questioned why Wangchuk and his supporters were arrested.
She also wondered why she was being prevented from meeting them, implying that the BJP fears democracy. Atishi asserted that if such actions continue, not only will LG rule end in Ladakh and Delhi, but the BJP's rule at the central level would also be challenged.
The incident comes amid the detention of Sonam Wangchuk and his supporters by Delhi Police at the Singhu border on Monday night. Wangchuk is leading the 'Delhi Chalo Padyatra,' a protest march that began in Leh a month ago, advocating for Ladakh's inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
This demand is aimed at granting law-making powers to the local people, which Wangchuk argues is essential to protect Ladakh's land, resources, and cultural heritage.
The 'Delhi Chalo Padyatra' led by Sonam Wangchuk is part of an ongoing campaign to seek autonomy for Ladakh. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which the activists are demanding, provides for greater autonomy and self-governance for tribal areas in certain parts of India.
Ladakh, with its unique cultural and demographic composition, has been pushing for such recognition to protect its identity and resources. Wangchuk, a renowned climate activist and innovator, has been vocal about the need for more control over local governance to ensure sustainable development in the region.
Wangchuk's supporters argue that Ladakh, being a sensitive ecological zone with a rich cultural heritage, needs constitutional safeguards to prevent exploitation of its resources and to preserve its unique identity.
The movement has gained significant support among the local population, who fear that their interests may be sidelined under the current administrative setup. By marching to Delhi, Wangchuk and his supporters aim to draw national attention to these concerns and seek government action.
The detention of Wangchuk and his supporters at the Singhu border was met with criticism from various quarters, including political leaders like Atishi. The Delhi Chief Minister's attempt to meet the detained activists was part of her effort to express solidarity with their cause and to show her support for their demands for self-governance.
Atishi's statement also touched upon the parallels between the struggles of the people of Ladakh and those of Delhi. She emphasised the need to end LG rule in both regions, advocating for full statehood and greater control over their governance.
Her remarks were aimed at highlighting the commonalities in the struggles of the two regions, which are both governed by LG-appointed administrators rather than elected representatives having full authority.
The demand for full statehood in both Delhi and Ladakh is not new, but recent developments have brought it back into the spotlight. In Delhi, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been vocal about its demand for full statehood, which would grant it more power over administrative matters. In Ladakh, the demand for autonomy is rooted in the desire to protect the region's unique cultural and environmental landscape.
The BJP government, on the other hand, has faced accusations of undermining democracy and suppressing voices that challenge its authority. Atishi's comments reflect this sentiment, accusing the government of attempting to "kill democracy" and questioning the legitimacy of actions taken by authorities under the LG's directives.
Wangchuk's 'Delhi Chalo Padyatra' and the subsequent detention of the activists have once again highlighted the challenges faced by regions like Ladakh and Delhi in their struggle for greater autonomy. The protest has also garnered support from various political leaders and civil society groups, who see it as a fight for democratic rights and self-governance.
The events surrounding Wangchuk's march and Atishi's attempt to meet the detained activists underscore the growing frustration with what is perceived as heavy-handed governance.
The demands for inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, full statehood, and greater autonomy all point towards a larger movement for decentralisation and local empowerment in governance.
As Wangchuk and his supporters continue their fight for Ladakh's rights, it remains to be seen how the central government will respond to these demands. The issue of autonomy and local governance is a complex one, involving not only administrative challenges but also questions of representation, identity, and the protection of local interests.
The situation in both Ladakh and Delhi highlights the need for a nuanced approach to governance that takes into account the unique characteristics of each region.
Whether through inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, granting full statehood, or providing greater autonomy, the voices of the people must be heard and their rights respected.
Follow us
