Movement to be launched to secure Sonam Wangchuk’s release and to save the Himalayas
‘Sonam Wangchuk Rihai Manch’ formed under the leadership of Kamala Pant, Dr. Ravi Chopra, and Rajiv Nayan Bahuguna
Movement to be launched to secure Sonam Wangchuk’s release and to save the Himalayas
‘Sonam Wangchuk Rihai Manch’ formed under the leadership of Kamala Pant, Dr. Ravi Chopra, and Rajiv Nayan Bahuguna
Dehradun, Oct 12
‘Sonam Wangchuk Rihai Manch’ has been formed by various civic organizations of Uttarakhand to unitedly fight for the release of environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk and to save the Himalayas.
A 17-member committee, including state activist Kamala Pant, renowned environmental activist Dr. Ravi Chopra, and senior journalist and social worker Rajiv Nayan Bahuguna, has been tasked with planning future programs. A separate committee has also been formed to draft accompanying pamphlets. ‘Sonam Wangchuk Rihai Manch’ would further this struggle.
At a meeting of representatives of more than a dozen social and civic organizations organised at the Martyrs’ Memorial in the court Premises resolved to fight against ‘unjust and unwarranted’ arrest of Himalayan activist Sonam Wangchuk, here today.
Speakers said that while Sonam Wangchuk may be the name of an individual but their fight is to protect the Himalayan environment and the ongoing plunder of its natural resources. They argued that the situation in Uttarakhand is similar to that in Ladakh, so there is a need to intensify this fight in Uttarakhand.
It was decided to hold a protest and fast in Dehradun on October 26th. This day will mark one month of Sonam Wangchuk’s arrest. Additionally, various programs were proposed to protect the Himalayas.
The meeting stated that efforts would be made to disseminate Wangchuk’s work to the public to counter the propaganda being spread by the ‘Sangh Parivar’ and the BJP against Sonam Wangchuk.
To convey the truth, pamphlets would be prepared and distributed amongst general public. It was also agreed to organize programs such as painting competitions for children and debate competitions for youth, and to visit religious sites and connect with the elderly.
More than 50 members present at the meeting pledged to inform five people about Sonam Wangchuk and his work every day. Speakers stated that governments have filed cases against protesters in the past, but imposing the NSA against a scientist, academic, and social activist like Sonam Wangchuk and blaming him for violence was completely unjustified. Therefore, the fight for his release will be fought at every level.
Dr. Ravi Chopra, Kamla Pant, and Rajiv Nayan Bahuguna, along with Surendra Singh Sajwan, Mohit Dimri, Paramjit Singh Kakkar, Nand Nandan Pandey, Jagmohan Mehndiratta, Samadarshi Barthwal, Dr. Uma Bhatt, Digambar, Advocate Lakshmi, Samarth, Melesha, Indresh Maikhuri, Swati Negi, Kamlesh Khantwal, Florence, Ishwar Pal, Dr. Jitendra Bharti, Mohit Dimri, Sanjeev Ghildiyal, and Vijay Bhatt, spoke at the meeting. Hariom Pali conducted the session. Satish Dholakhandi sang ‘Jan Geets’ songs to further the struggle.
The meeting was attended by Vimala Koli, Nirmala Bisht, Padma Gupta, Tushar Rawat, Prof. Raghavendra, Swati Negi, Trilochan Bhatt, Chandrakala Indresh Nautiyal, and many other social workers, youth, and women.
