Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday announced a ‘Leh Chalo Andolan’ from September 19, calling for stronger safeguards for Ladakh’s land, culture, environment and local governance. Reacting to Wangchuk’s announcement, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Saurav Das backed the mobilisation and called for people across the country to support the cause.
Taking to X, Das wrote, “We must all stand with Ladakh! Save Ladakh!”
Wangchuk Announces ‘Leh Chalo Andolan’
Wangchuk, speaking in a video message on Friday from Delhi, announced a “Leh Chalo Andolan” from September 19, saying the planned mobilisation would turn into a nationwide demonstration if the Centre fails to give Ladakh a key assurance on protecting its land, culture and local governance.
Referring to the recent student-led protests at Jantar Mantar, Wangchuk said he was in Delhi but clarified that he had not come to the national capital to launch another protest or sit on a hunger strike. He said representatives from Ladakh were in Delhi for discussions with the Union Home Ministry over the protection of the Union Territory’s culture, nature and land.
Wangchuk said Ladakh’s representatives had sought what he described as a “small and legitimate assurance” from the government — that until a democratic structure is established in the Union Territory, no major administrative decisions should be taken that could change the “face of Ladakh”.
The announcement comes amid growing demands from groups in Ladakh for greater constitutional and administrative safeguards, including protection of the region’s land, culture and local interests.
Wangchuk’s proposed September 19 ‘Leh Chalo’ mobilisation could mark a fresh phase in the campaign, with the activist warning that the movement may spread beyond Ladakh if the Centre does not respond to the demands.
In addition to this, Wangchuk said the government has been given a week to provide an assurance on the issue. If this is done, the proposed padyatra from September 19 to September 24 will be observed as a “memorial padyatra” in honour of those who sacrificed their lives for Ladakh. However, he warned that if the assurance is not forthcoming, the mobilisation will take the shape of a major demonstration involving people from across the country, demanding justice for Ladakh.