The Delhi High Court will hear a plea from climate activist Sonam Wangchuk regarding a planned protest involving 200 participants at Jantar Mantar to raise awareness about ecological and cultural degradation in Ladakh. The Delhi Police previously rejected their request, prompting legal action focused on the right to free speech and peaceful assembly.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court will deliberate on a significant plea concerning climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and a group of approximately 200 participants who wish to hold a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar or another suitable location. This protest is part of a larger awareness campaign initiated by the Apex Body Leh, aimed at drawing attention to the ecological and cultural degradation affecting Ladakh and the wider Himalayan region.
The plea, presented before Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, emphasizes the importance of fundamental rights enshrined in Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee the right to free speech and peaceful assembly.
The protest is set to take place from October 8 to October 23, 2024, following a remarkable 30-day march that covered over 900 kilometers from Leh to Delhi.
The backdrop of this legal action is the rejection by the Delhi Police of the petitioners’ request to demonstrate at Jantar Mantar.
On October 5, the police sent a letter arbitrarily denying the application, which the petitioners argue infringes upon their fundamental rights. The plea further contends that the police did not provide valid or reasonable grounds for this rejection, particularly given the peaceful nature of the participants’ march.
Wangchuk and his associates encountered significant challenges on their journey. On September 30, they were reportedly detained by local police at the Delhi border while en route to the national capital to demand the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
This provision pertains to the governance of tribal areas in states like Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, granting them a degree of autonomy making them “autonomous districts and autonomous regions”.
The Padyatra has gained momentum as a peaceful yet powerful way to voice concerns over pressing issues affecting the Himalayan region.
The petitioners’ primary objective is to elevate awareness about the environmental threats and cultural erosion facing Ladakh, which has experienced dramatic changes in recent years. By organizing their protest in Delhi, they aim to engage with a broader audience and highlight the urgent need for policy changes and sustainable practices in these vulnerable areas.
Moreover, the plea assures the court that the planned demonstration is not merely an act of dissent but a constructive means to communicate grievances to the authorities. The petitioners argue that denying them the opportunity to protest effectively suppresses their fundamental rights and limits their ability to engage in meaningful public discourse.
As the Delhi High Court prepares to hear this urgent matter, the outcome could have significant implications for the rights of activists and the ability to peacefully assemble in pursuit of social and environmental justice.
The court’s decision may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly concerning the rights of individuals and groups advocating for ecological preservation and cultural integrity in India.