Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Saturday backed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's participation in a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in Delhi, saying he attended the event in his personal capacity and that his engagement with national issues would not affect Ladakh's ongoing movement.
Wangchuk joined the June 6 protest in Delhi to back their demands, which included the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests. He was also seen taking part in the CJP protest that is underway in Jantar Mantar on June 20 alongside CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke.
The two organisations, which are spearheading Ladakh's campaign for constitutional safeguards and statehood, said Wangchuk's presence at the protest alongside Cockroach Party founder Abhijeet Dipke was discussed during a core group meeting, which concluded with broad support among members.They also added that his efforts to raise issues of public concern at national platforms would only help draw the Centre’s attention to Ladakh’s demand.
"Wangchuk had not attended the Delhi event as a representative of the Apex Body. He is a national figure. He is not merely a leader from Ladakh but also an environmentalist whose work is recognised across the country. He has gone there in his personal capacity," LAB Co-Chairman Chering Dorjay told reporters during the press conference.He has gone in his personal capacity. From our perspective, we do not see any harm in this. In fact, it can only benefit our movement rather than harm it," Dorjay said.
KDA Co-Chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai said it is not correct to suggest, as some have implied, that he is neglecting Ladakh's issues or leaving them unfinished to focus on national issues."If there is anyone who has consistently taken Ladakh's concerns to national and international platforms, it is Wangchuk," he said.
Sonam Wangchuk on Friday joined a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi, where he paid tribute to examination aspirants who had allegedly died by suicide and called for greater accountability in the education system.
Wangchuk began his address by offering flowers before photographs of aspirants whose deaths were highlighted by protesters, before speaking about the struggles faced by students preparing for competitive examinations such as NEET, JEE, and the Civil Services Examination. “I have seen how hard aspirants work for these examinations, and then they suffer,” Wangchuk said, referring to the challenges faced by candidates pursuing government jobs and higher education opportunities.
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