Ladakh Groups Back Sonam Wangchuk Protest Role
Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance have backed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s participation in a Cockroach Janta Party protest in Delhi, saying he joined the event in his personal capacity and that his presence would not weaken Ladakh’s ongoing movement.
Sonam Wangchuk CJP Protest
Wangchuk joined the June 6 protest in Delhi to support demands linked to alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests. The protest also included calls for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
He was later seen at the Jantar Mantar protest on June 20 alongside Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke. His participation had triggered questions over whether the activist was shifting attention away from Ladakh’s long-running statehood and constitutional safeguards campaign.
Ladakh Groups Back Wangchuk
Leh Apex Body Co-Chairman Chering Dorjay said Wangchuk did not attend the Delhi event as a representative of the Apex Body. He described Wangchuk as a national figure and environmentalist whose work is recognised beyond Ladakh.
Dorjay said the matter was discussed during a core group meeting attended by Wangchuk and leaders of both organisations. He said members agreed that engaging with national issues such as education would not harm Ladakh’s cause and could instead help bring wider attention to it.
Ladakh Statehood And Sixth Schedule Demand
Kargil Democratic Alliance Co-Chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai rejected suggestions that Wangchuk was neglecting Ladakh’s issues. He said Wangchuk had consistently taken Ladakh’s concerns to national and international platforms.
Karbalai also said repeated talks with the Centre had produced little concrete progress on key demands, including statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards. He said Ladakh groups may now reach out to political parties and other stakeholders across India for broader support.
