Following the arrest of social activist Sonam Wangchuk, protests erupted in Delhi, echoing the demonstrations in Ladakh. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) organized a candlelight march on Friday evening, denouncing Wangchuk’s arrest. Saurabh Bharadwaj, the Delhi state convener of AAP, led the march, which was attended by a large number of party members. Bharadwaj highlighted Wangchuk’s societal contributions, emphasizing his prominence through the film ‘3 Idiots.’ He also mentioned Wangchuk’s work providing educational opportunities. He also stated that when the Indian government denied any incursions, the shepherds in Ladakh were fighting with the intruders. The AAP leader also noted that the people of Ladakh and Kargil have always stood up against Chinese forces. They are willing to die to stop the Chinese intrusions.
Sanjay Singh, a senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha member, criticized the central government’s handling of the arrest of Sonam Wangchuk, who is advocating for full statehood for Ladakh. He described Wangchuk’s arrest under the National Security Act as an act of authoritarianism. Sonam Wangchuk was demanding full statehood for Ladakh-Kargil and also sought education, health, and employment opportunities for the people. Singh stated that the Modi government is showing its desperation and is declaring a Gandhian activist an enemy of the state. He urged the government to listen to the people of Ladakh and grant them full statehood.
Singh mentioned that Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on Friday. Wangchuk has spent his life educating children, offering education to those marginalized by the system. Over the past five years, Sonam Wangchuk has been advocating for the rights of the people of Ladakh, including education, employment, land, and healthcare, and full statehood for Ladakh-Kargil.