‘Padyatra or Anshan’: Sonam Wangchuk Warns of Protest if Detained Leaders Are Not Released by Sunday
Ladakh-based activist Sonam Wangchuk has warned that he may launch a hunger strike or undertake a foot march if the leaders detained in Delhi on Saturday are not released by Sunday.
Ladakhi activist Sonam Wangchuk has issued a warning following the detention of several political leaders, activists and protesters in the national capital. He said he would be compelled to consider an Anshan (hunger strike) or a Padyatra (foot march) if the detained leaders were not released by Sunday.
Several political leaders and protesters, including Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee, were detained by Delhi Police while attempting to march towards Jantar Mantar. The protest was organised against alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission.
Sonam Wangchuk Calls Situation an ‘Undeclared Emergency’
In a video message shared on his social media accounts, Wangchuk expressed concern over the detentions and described the situation in the country as an “undeclared emergency”. “Yesterday, when I posted a message appealing for unity and peace in today’s protest, I had never imagined that the biggest democracy in the world would be under an undeclared EMERGENCY,” he wrote.
Wangchuk had earlier extended his support to the protest against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). However, he was unable to be physically present in Delhi to participate in the agitation.
‘I Learn That They Have All Been Arrested’
Expressing disappointment over the detention of the leaders, Wangchuk said he had been encouraged by the number of political leaders who had come forward to lead the movement.
“I was happy there were so many leaders to lead the movement, but I now learn that they have all been arrested,” he said.
The activist expressed hope that the detained leaders would be released soon. However, he warned that he might be forced to take further action if they remained in custody.
Hunger Strike or Foot March if Leaders Are Not Released
Wangchuk said he would be “compelled to consider an Anshan Fast or Padyatra March” if the detained leaders were not released by Sunday. His warning comes amid growing concern among supporters over the detention of political leaders and protesters who had attempted to march towards Jantar Mantar.
The next steps in the protest will depend on whether the detained leaders are released within the deadline mentioned by Wangchuk. His possible hunger strike or foot march could mark a further escalation of the protest against the alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s functioning.
