‘Blot on democracy’: Activist Sonam Wangchuk after several protesters were arrested outside Ladakh Bhawan

Delhi Police on Sunday arrested several people from outside the Ladakh Bhawan, where climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since October 6 to press for their demand to include Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

According to one of the protesters, those arrested were taken to Mandir Marg police station.

Earlier, the police had said that Sonam Wangchuk was among those arrested, but later the DCP in New Delhi clarified that the climate activist was not among those arrested.

“We have arrested some students from outside Ladhak Bhawan. Sonam Wangchuk is not among them,” said Devesh Mahla, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi).

Meanwhile, Wangchuk said in a video message that Delhi Police had arrested several of her supporters as he questioned why Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which bans unauthorized gatherings, is being enforced permanently in New Delhi. “Many people came here today to attend a silent protest. It is really sad that they were arrested by Delhi Police. It is sad because we cannot even hold a silent protest in the world’s largest democracy,” Wangchuk said in the message.

“We are told that Section 163 has been enforced…It is sad that such a restriction is being imposed on the mother of democracy throughout the year. This section is usually only enforced on a temporary basis when there is a risk of disrupting law and order,” Wangchuk added.

“This is a blot on our democracy and the courts should also be aware of it… How can such sections be made permanent,” he asked.

The Ramon Magsaysay award-winning climate activist also shared videos of detainees on Instagram.

Stating that the protesters did not have permission to sit outside the Ladakh Bhawan where Section 163 of the BNSS applies, a senior police official said, “They have filed an application to protest at Jantar Mantar.” Their application is under consideration. You are not allowed to protest anywhere else. We have arrested some people who will be released soon.” Wangchuk and his supporters, who were marching from Leh to Delhi, were arrested by Delhi Police at the Singhu border on September 30 before being released on October 2.

The group is demanding a meeting with the top leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to push through their demands.

The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution contains provisions for the administration of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram in northeast India. Autonomous councils will also be established with legislative, judicial, executive and financial powers to manage these areas independently.

The march to Delhi was organized by the Leh Apex Body, which along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance has been leading an agitation for four years seeking statehood for Ladakh, its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, a Public Service Commission for Ladakh , and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI.)