'This dictatorship not right': Atishi claims LG directed police not to let her meet Sonam Wangchuk

NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Atishi on Tuesday claimed that the police didn't allow her to meet Ladakh climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was detained at 1 am, on the orders of LG VK Saxena and said that this "dictatorship is not right".

Activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, along with 150 Ladakhis, has been detained since Monday night for allegedly violating prohibitory orders. Wangchuk is currently on his “Chalo Delhi Climate March,” which he began in Leh on September 1.

Extending her government's support to Sonam Wangchuk, Atishi said that the people of Delhi are with them and added that the LG rule should end and both Ladakh and Delhi should get the status of full state.

"I reached Bawana police station to meet Sonam Wangchuk ji and 150 brothers and sisters of Ladakh. Delhi police did not let me meet them. It is being told that LG sahab called and said not to let me meet the elected Chief Minister. This dictatorship is not right," Atishi said in a post on X.



"Sonam Wangchuk ji and the people of Ladakh are also fighting against LG rule, fighting to get full statehood status for Ladakh. The people of Delhi stand with the people of Ladakh. LG rule should end in Ladakh, LG rule should also end in Delhi. Ladakh and Delhi should get the status of a full state," she added.

Meanwhile, a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Delhi High Court today, challenging the detention of Wangchuk and others at the Delhi border.

The petitioner's counsel mentioned the matter for listing before a bench comprising Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela.

The court declined to list the matter on the same day but agreed to schedule the hearing for October 3, provided the petition is in order by 3.30 pm.

Wangchuk and other volunteers were on a foot march from Leh to New Delhi to urge the central government to resume dialogue with Ladakh's leadership regarding their demands.

One of their main demands is for Ladakh to be included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which would grant law-making powers to the local population to protect their land and cultural identity. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution governs tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram in Northeast India. It establishes autonomous councils with legislative, judicial, executive, and financial powers, allowing these regions to self-govern independently.