Leh: Over 100 volunteers, led by renowned innovator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, began a foot march from Leh to the national capital on Sunday. The goal is to urge the Centre to resume stalled dialogue with the leadership of Ladakh on their four-point agenda.
The ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’ was organized by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), jointly spearheading an agitation over statehood, extension of the Constitution’s sixth schedule, early recruitment processes, a public service commission for Ladakh, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.
The talks between Ladakh representatives and the Central government ended in March without any concrete outcome.
Amid chants of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and “we want sixth schedule,” LAB chairman Thupstan Chhewang flagged off the march from NDS Memorial park. Wangchuk expressed hope that the government would announce a positive response upon their arrival in Delhi on Gandhi Jayanti, marking the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2.
“It is satisfying to see people from all sections of society, including elders, women, and youngsters, joining this march in support of our demands. The sixth schedule of the Constitution and UT with legislature is our democratic right as we want development and management of the region according to our wishes and aspirations,” said Wangchuk, who previously held a 21-day hunger strike in support of the demands.
He emphasized that this is a people’s movement, and the government should fulfill the demands of the Ladakhis without hesitation.
“We share borders with Pakistan and China, and I want to tell my country that Indians should be proud of the people of Ladakh who are ready to sacrifice their lives for the nation,” he added.
Expressing confidence that more people will join the march en route to Delhi via Himachal Pradesh, Wangchuk pointed out the enthusiasm of the participants. He mentioned that even a 90-year-old Ladakh citizen living in Switzerland is prepared to join them in Delhi.
LAB chairman Chhewang stated that though the KDA is not joining the march at the initial stage, they will certainly give a positive response as the march progresses to Delhi.
Tsering Dorjey, an elderly participant, stated that although his health would not allow him to cover the full distance of around 1,000 km on foot, he would attempt to be part of the march as long as possible.
“Through this march, we want to convey a message that we are very serious about our four demands,” he said.
