Leh, Jun 20: Leaders of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have defended climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s participation in a protest organised in Delhi by supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), stating that he attended the event in his personal capacity and not as a representative of the Ladakh leadership.
Speaking to reporters, LAB Co-Chairman Chering Dorjay clarified that Wangchuk is a nationally recognised environmentalist and not merely a regional leader, emphasising that his participation in broader national issues should not be misinterpreted.
“Wangchuk had not attended the Delhi event as a representative of the Apex Body. He is a national figure. He is not just a leader from Ladakh but an environmentalist whose work is recognised across the country. He went there in his personal capacity,” Dorjay said.
He added that Wangchuk had to travel to Switzerland and could not attend the press briefing. Dorjay also noted that during the core group meeting—attended by LAB, KDA leaders, MP Ladakh Haneefa Jan, and Wangchuk himself—the issue was discussed in detail.
According to him, the consensus was that engagement on national concerns such as education reforms and exam-related issues does not harm Ladakh’s movement, but rather strengthens its reach and relevance.
KDA Co-Chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai also rejected suggestions that Wangchuk was distancing himself from Ladakh’s issues, stating that his involvement in national debates should not be seen as neglect of regional concerns.
The leaders further said that after repeated rounds of talks with the Centre yielded limited progress, they may reach out to other political parties and stakeholders across the country for broader support.
