Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has condemned the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and other Ladakhis, calling it “unacceptable.” His statement highlights the growing concerns over the government’s response to advocates for Ladakhi rights and environmental issues.
Around 120 individuals, including Wangchuk, marched to the national capital to demand Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh, which would grant the region greater autonomy. However, Delhi Police detained them at the city’s borders. Consequently, Gandhi expressed his discontent, stating, “The detention of Sonam Wangchuk ji and hundreds of Ladakhis who are peacefully marching for their environmental and constitutional rights is unacceptable.”
Moreover, Gandhi raised questions about detaining citizens who were advocating for Ladakh’s future. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to listen to the concerns of the Ladakhi people, saying, “Modi ji, just as with the farmers, this ‘Chakravyuh’ will be broken, and your arrogance will falter.”
Before his own detention, Wangchuk shared videos on Instagram that showed their buses stopped at the Delhi border, surrounded by police. He actively engaged with officers, which highlighted the tense atmosphere.
Wangchuk explained that vehicles from both Delhi and Haryana Police accompanied their buses. Initially, they thought they were being escorted into the capital; however, they soon realized the intention was to detain them. He stated, “As we approach Delhi, it seems we’re not being escorted; we’re being detained.”
Additionally, Wangchuk noted that about 1,000 police personnel had deployed at the Delhi border. In fact, security forces gathered at the Ladakh Bhawan in Delhi and in areas where Ladakhi students reside. He remarked, “It seems they don’t want this padyatra to happen.”
These events raise crucial questions about freedom of speech and the right to protest in India. As the situation develops, it becomes essential for the government to engage with all citizens, especially those fighting for their rights and environmental protections.
Kolkata: On Friday, January 10, 2026, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha members demonstrated against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her actions after the ED raids at the I-PAC office and its chief Pratik Jain's home. | In relation to an alleged coal smuggling case that stretches back a few years, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) office and Pratik Jain's home on Loudon Street in Kolkata on Thursday, January 8, 2025. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a protest against the ED raids on I-PAC after the raid set off a political storm in the state. Why is a chief minister endorsing Pratik Jain, and who is he? Pratik Jain, a political strategist and co-founder of I-PAC, is a graduate of IIT Bombay. He is credited with helping I-PAC grow into one of the most significant political consulting organizations in India. I-PAC was established in 2015 and offers services like data-driven campaign management, support for governance, and voter outreach initiatives. It has collaborated with a number of Indian political groups throughout the years, notably West Bengal's Trinamool Congress (TMC). I-PAC reportedly collaborates closely with Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress, and his office. The company oversees the IT and media division of the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and is in charge of creating its election campaigns. Mr. Jain was in charge of the Trinamool Congress's IT cell, according to Ms. Banerjee. According to his LinkedIn page, Jain, an engineering graduate from IIT Bombay, started his career as an analyst at the consulting firm Deloitte. He was one of the first members of Citizens of Accountable Governance, which later evolved into I-PAC. Arvind Kejriwal, M.K. Stalin, Jaganmohan Reddy, Uddhav Thackeray, Rahul Gandhi, and Nitish Kumar are just a few of the prominent figures with whom the political consultancy firm has collaborated.…
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