On October 3, 2024, controversy erupted at New Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital as Chhewang Lhamo, the wife of detained Ladakhi climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, confronted medical staff and police over the strict isolation and communication restrictions imposed on her husband. Wangchuk, who was detained at the Delhi border earlier that week during a peaceful march from Leh, was reportedly kept under heavy police watch at the hospital, leading to accusations of unlawful confinement. Human rights organizations, including Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), have strongly condemned the administration’s actions, characterizing the containment of the activist as an act of authoritarianism.
The Genesis of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ March
The confrontation at Safdarjung Hospital marks the latest escalation in a month-long demonstration led by Wangchuk and approximately 150 volunteers from Ladakh. The group embarked on a 1,000-kilometer foot march, dubbed ‘Delhi Chalo,’ from Leh to the national capital to demand constitutional safeguards for the ecologically fragile Himalayan region. The marchers aimed to submit a memorandum to the central leadership on Gandhi Jayanti, October 2, urging the government to address their long-standing demands.
For over four years, the people of Ladakh, represented by the Apex Body of Leh (ABL) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), have demanded statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The Sixth Schedule provides autonomy to tribal areas, allowing them to form autonomous district councils with legislative powers over land, public health, and agriculture. Activists argue that without these protections, Ladakh’s unique culture and delicate ecosystem remain vulnerable to unchecked industrial exploitation.
Confrontation at Safdarjung Hospital
Tensions peaked when Chhewang Lhamo was permitted to visit Wangchuk at Safdarjung Hospital, where he had been taken by Delhi Police following his detention at the Singhu border. In a video widely circulated on social media, Lhamo can be seen questioning the medical staff and security personnel regarding the seizure of Wangchuk’s mobile phone. “Why are you not letting me take my phone? Why is he not allowed to speak to anyone?” Lhamo asked, demanding transparency from the authorities who remained tight-lipped.
Supporters and legal representatives of the activist alleged that Wangchuk was being held incommunicado under the guise of medical observation. The Delhi Police maintained that the detentions were necessary to maintain law and order, citing a temporary ban on assemblies of five or more people in several parts of the capital. However, critics point out that the prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were weaponized specifically to stifle the Ladakhi protest.
Civil Liberties and Activist Reactions
The treatment of Wangchuk has drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups and opposition political leaders across India. The Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) released a statement alleging that the administration’s actions mirror a “dictatorship,” where peaceful dissent is treated as a security threat. Activists argue that denying a detainee contact with family members and legal counsel violates basic constitutional rights guaranteed under Article 19 and Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
“Detaining a globally recognized environmentalist who has consistently advocated for peaceful, democratic dialogue sends a chilling message to civil society,” said a representative from a Delhi-based human rights coalition. Legal experts also questioned the basis of Wangchuk’s hospitalization, noting that preventive detention should not be used as a tool for indefinite isolation without formal charges.
Implications for Ladakh and Future Protests
The high-handed handling of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march has galvanized the population of Ladakh, leading to spontaneous shutdowns and protests in Leh and Kargil. Observers believe that rather than suppressing the movement, the detentions have amplified the regional demands on a national stage. The solidarity protests emerging in other Indian states indicate that the Ladakh issue is gaining broader traction among environmentalists and civil rights defenders nationwide.
In the coming days, watch for how the Delhi High Court responds to habeas corpus petitions filed on behalf of the detained marchers. Furthermore, observers will closely monitor whether the Ministry of Home Affairs initiates formal talks with the Ladakhi leadership to defuse the growing unrest, or if the government maintains its restrictive stance on public assemblies in the capital.
