Early Times Report
KARGIL, Apr 5: Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk was accorded a warm welcome in Kargil on Sunday, where he called for unity across Ladakh and the country and reiterated the demand for democratic and constitutional rights for the Union Territory.
This marked the first visit of Sonam Wangchuk to Kargil after his release on March 14, following nearly six months of detention in Jodhpur jail under the National Security Act (NSA). His release came after the Centre revoked the grounds of his detention, subsequent to a habeas corpus petition filed by his wife in the Supreme Court of India.
Leaders of Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and Leh Apex Body (LAB), which are spearheading an agitation in support of their demands including statehood for Ladakh and extension of sixth scheduled of the constitution to the region, pressed for the next round of talks with the High Powered Committee set up by the ministry of Home Affairs, while warning that continued delays and lack of concrete action could intensify the ongoing movement.
Accompanied by LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjey, Sonam Wangchuk was accorded an enthusiastic reception by the KDA leadership, including its cochairman Asgar Ali Karbalai, Member of Parliament Haneefa Jan and prominent leader Sajjad Kargili, before being escorted to the rally venue in a procession with participants raising slogans in his support.
Thanking the people and leadership of KDA for their support during his detention, Wangchuk emphasised unity across Ladakh and the country, urging people to rise above divisions and work collectively for a better future.
"What should unite us is humanity and a shared sense of being Indian. We should not get divided into 'this side' or 'that side,' nor into religion or sect, we must come closer to one another, not drift apart," he said.
Highlighting Ladakh's ongoing demands, he said the issue concerns the entire region and must be addressed collectively.
"The rights that Ladakh deserves, democratic rights, constitutional rights, and rights over its resources, should be ensured just like in the rest of the country," he said.
Wangchuk said unity between regions like Leh and Kargil has given strength to the movement.
"For the first time, people from different parts of Ladakh came together and raised their voice in unity ' this spirit must be preserved," he said.
He described his detention as tough but meaningful. "It was not easy, but if it serves Ladakh, it is a valuable experience, there is a new dawn ahead," he said, while acknowledging that many others endured even greater difficulties to keep the issue alive.
Calling for a broader vision, Wangchuk said, "If we move forward seeing each other simply as human beings, leaving behind divisions, then not just Ladakh but the whole country can become more peaceful and prosperous." In his address, Ladakh MP termed the release of Wangchuk "a victory of our honesty and our truth" and stressed that while the movement has been firm, its core approach remains rooted in dialogue, urging the government to engage sincerely with the people of Ladakh. |
