‘Ab Dilli Door Nahin’: With blisters & heat rashes, Ladakhi marchers close in on their destination

Video of Octogenarian with heat rashes goes viral, garners support for Ladakh’s issues

Jammu: A video of the ongoing month-long Padyatra led by education reformist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has gained traction on social media, showcasing participants struggling with blisters and heat rashes on their feet.
The footage has garnered support for the Ladakhi community from across the nation, with many praising their “incredible determination.”
The Padyatra, which started from Leh town in Ladakh on September 1, is now 26 days into its journey and will conclude at Raj Ghat memorial in Delhi on October 2.
The 3.23-minute video highlights the physical toll on the participants, eliciting sympathy for those advocating for Constitutional Safeguards under the Sixth Schedule and Statehood for Ladakh.
Wangchuk shared the video with the caption “Ab Dilli Door Nahin,” stating, “With blisters and heat rashes, 150 Ladakhi common people aged 18 to 80 have nearly reached Chandigarh, covering 750 km on foot over 25 days. See you in Delhi very soon!” His efforts have resonated widely, with many netizens applauding the resolve of the Himalayan community.
An 80-year-old participant expressed, “I have covered 600-700 km so far. I will walk to Delhi to ensure our voices are heard.” Other participants echoed this hope, looking forward to meeting the country’s top leadership.
One of the netizens wrote, “Incredible determination! Your journey is an inspiration to us all. Thank you for your bravery in raising awareness for Ladakh and our planet. See you in Delhi! #SaveLadakh #ClimateMarch”.
Another netizen said, “We are all with you! Your determination is inspiring, and the government should listen to you!”
Wangchuk elaborated on the journey, noting, “People are often surprised and amazed that we’ve traveled such a long distance from Leh, crossing high mountain passes. We faced temperatures as low as -6 to -7 degrees Celsius, and now we’re walking in the scorching heat of 40 degrees Celsius, driven by the hope of reaching the Union Capital to share our struggles.”
He added, “Our aim is to meet the President, Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, and opposition leaders to voice our concerns. After reaching Chandigarh, we’ll traverse parts of Punjab and Haryana, targeting our final destination in Delhi on September 30. On October 1 and 2, we’ll march through Delhi to reach Raj Ghat by 2 pm. On October 3, we’ll gather at Jantar Mantar with supporters and fellow Ladakhis, hoping to meet the top leadership. Our group includes octogenarians, teenagers, and women, and we remain hopeful they will meet with us. We believe we will succeed in our mission.”
Pertinently, over 100 volunteers, mostly Leh Apex Body (LAB) activists, led by Sonam Wangchuk, began a month-long ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’ from Leh on September 1. It followed the meeting of the Leh Apex Body with the local BJP unit to help resume the stalled dialogue between the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ladakhi leaders over a four-point agenda.
On March 26 earlier this year, after ending a 21-day hunger strike, Wangchuk had planned a “Border March” to the Line of Actual Control on April 7 to highlight issues such as Chinese intrusions and the impact on grazing lands. However, this march was cancelled after the administration restricted their movement, suggesting they travel by vehicle instead.
The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) also announced support for the Padyatra undertaken by LAB, saying “We will start our Caravan from Kargil on September 27 and will halt at Srinagar, before proceeding for Jammu, the next day. On September 30, we will reach Delhi and join the leaders from Leh.”

Updated On 9/27/2024 3:27:45 AM