**Punekars to Hold Padyatra Tomorrow in Protest of Sonam Wangchuk’s Arrest**
Punekars are gearing up to hold a padyatra tomorrow (Saturday) to protest the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. The march will commence at 4 pm, starting from Rani Laxmibai’s statue and proceeding to Chatrapati Sambhajiraje Garden on JM Road.
According to posters released by the organizers, participants will protest Wangchuk’s arrest, demand his immediate release, and advocate for sustainable development. They will also stage a demonstration in front of the Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir.
Speaking to *The Free Press Journal*, social activist Milind Chavan expressed his views on the matter. “We are forced to march due to anti-democratic steps by the government in Sonam Wangchuk’s arrest. Wangchuk should be released from jail. His demand is valid and will be beneficial for the residents. Ninety-five percent of the population in Ladakh belongs to the tribal community, and the issues are factual. The government should have thought before his arrest. The government decision should be sustainable and people-centric. More than 100 people will join the march on Saturday,” he said.
Prashant Jagtap, NCP-SP Pune City Chief and a recent protester against Wangchuk’s arrest, shared his perspective as well. “Sonam Wangchuk worked in Ladakh, near the country’s border, where life is very difficult. Wangchuk helps poor students get an education. For his dedication, he received the Ramon Magsaysay Award and many other international honours, making India proud. Additionally, he created special modern tents that help soldiers survive freezing conditions, providing significant support to the Indian Army.”
He further added, “However, the ruling party, showing its dictatorship, arrested him when he started speaking against the government and its corruption. Wangchuk also revealed that China has taken control of thousands of acres of land in Ladakh. By revealing the truth to the media, the Modi government put him in jail in Jodhpur.”
Meanwhile, Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, has approached the Supreme Court seeking his release. Filing the plea through lawyer Sarvam Ritam Khare, Angmo has challenged Wangchuk’s detention and is demanding his immediate release.
The plea also questions the government’s decision to invoke the National Security Act (NSA) against Wangchuk. Angmo alleged that she had yet to receive a copy of the detention order, which is a violation of legal procedures.
Sonam Wangchuk was detained under the stringent NSA on September 26, two days after protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh led to clashes in the Union Territory, leaving four people dead and 90 injured.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/pune-activists-plan-padayatra-tomorrow-against-sonam-wangchuks-arrest-2