Sonam Wangchuk appeals to Centre over Ladakh polls, warns of fresh agitation as authorities ban protests in Leh and Kargil
NEW DELHI: The Ladakh administration has prohibited political protests, dharnas, rallies and other forms of collective demonstrations in Leh and Kargil during the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the upcoming local body elections, even as climate activist Sonam Wangchuk appealed to the Centre to intervene, warning of fresh agitation over the poll schedule. In a post on X on Wednesday, Wangchuk shared a video featuring leaders from Leh and Kargil, including the local MP, appealing to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to intervene. The appeal comes amid growing opposition to the proposed elections and demands for political safeguards in the Union Territory. Wangchuk said talks on the restoration of democracy had broken down and alleged that the administration was moving ahead with the elections despite concerns raised by people across Ladakh. He also questioned the timing of the polls, citing harsh winter conditions, snowfall and the seasonal migration of residents. "In this video the leadership of Leh & Kargil including the Member of Parliament have come together to appeal to the honorable President, PM, HM & the LOP & fellow citizens of India to please intervene before we are forced to start peaceful but intense agitations to demonstrate our pain," he wrote. The activist also questioned the delay in the judicial inquiry commission report into the September 24 incidents in Leh, saying it had been a year since the violence. He alleged that the administration was moving quickly to conduct the elections while the report and discussions on democratic restoration remained unresolved. Meanwhile, the restriction on protests was announced through an order issued by chief electoral officer Rahul Sharma on Wednesday. It prohibits political parties, candidates, workers, supporters and others from organising or participating in dharnas, protests, demonstrations, sit-ins, hunger strikes and rallies within the municipal limits of Leh and Kargil while the MCC remains in force.
Join conversation
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
The order said such activities could intimidate voters, disturb public order and affect the atmosphere required for free and fair elections. It was issued under Section 282 of the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000, read with the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Committee (Election) Rules, 2003. District election officers and police authorities have been directed to ensure compliance, with violations inviting action under relevant laws. "No political party, candidate, worker, supporter or any other person shall organise, hold, or participate in any dharna, protest, demonstration, sit-in, hunger strike, rally or any similar form of collective political activity within the municipal limits of the Municipal Committee, Leh and the Municipal Committee, Kargil, which is likely to impact the peaceful conduct of elections during the entire period the Model Code of Conduct remains in force," the order said as quoted by news agency PTI. Polling for the Leh and Kargil municipal committees and panchayats is scheduled for November 21, while elections to the eight Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) are scheduled for December 4.
End of Article
