Sonam Wangchuk Meets Amit Shah in Leh as Ladakh Leaders Seek Constitutional Safeguards

Key facts

• Environmentalist and Leh Apex Body member Sonam Wangchuk met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Leh.
• The meeting included a clutch of other Ladakh leaders ahead of further talks.
• Repolling was ordered in 15 West Bengal booths after EVM tampering claims.
• Maharashtra HSC Result 2026 is expected next week after Buddha Purnima and a weekend gap.
• Odisha 10th Result 2026 will be announced today at 4 pm.
• Sacred relics of Tathagata Buddha left their permanent repository for the first time in India's history.
• The relics will be accessible to devotees from May 1 to May 15, beginning on the 2569th Vesak Buddha Purnima.
• A special SC bench rejected TMC's plea on counting staff, stating no further orders necessary.

A Meeting in Leh

Environmentalist and Leh Apex Body (LAB) member Sonam Wangchuk met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Leh along with a clutch of other leaders. The meeting, described by participants as constructive, took place ahead of broader talks on the region's demands. 'Everything will be alright,' Shah assured the delegation, according to sources present.

Demands for Constitutional Status

The Ladakh leaders have been pressing for constitutional safeguards, including the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and reservation in jobs and education. The region was granted Union Territory status in 2019, but local groups argue that this has not adequately protected their cultural and political rights. The Leh Apex Body has been at the forefront of these demands, organizing protests and hunger strikes.

Political Turmoil in West Bengal

Meanwhile, in West Bengal, repolling was ordered in 15 booths after allegations of EVM tampering during the ongoing elections. BJP's Suvendu Adhikari flagged the issue of 'contractual workers' in vote counting, raising concerns about the integrity of the process. The Election Commission has yet to comment on the specific allegations.

Education Results and AI Startup

In other news, the Maharashtra HSC Result 2026 is expected next week after Buddha Purnima and a weekend gap, with DigiLocker showing a 'coming soon' status. The Odisha 10th Result 2026 will be announced today at 4 pm, with students able to check details online. Separately, Apurva Shrivastava, an engineer, turned a 'missed call' idea into a $1 billion AI startup, highlighting India's growing tech ecosystem.

Buddha Relics Visit Ladakh

For the first time in India's history, the sacred relics of Tathagata Buddha left their permanent repository to bless Ladakh, a land that has kept the Dharma alive across centuries. The relics arrived in Leh on April 29th under Z-category security aboard a special aircraft. From May 1 to May 15, beginning on the 2569th Vesak Buddha Purnima, they will be accessible to devotees, monks, scholars, and pilgrims from across the world. 'This is a celebration of India's soul, her civilisation, and the enduring message she carries for a fractured world,' a senior official said.

Relics Journey to Zanskar

Between the 11th and 12th of May, the relics will travel to the remote Zanskar valley, carrying the Buddha's grace to a community whose Buddhist traditions remain as deep as the gorges of their landscape. The visit is seen as a significant cultural and spiritual event, drawing attention to the region's unique heritage.

Supreme Court Rejects TMC Plea

In a related legal development, a special Supreme Court bench rejected the Trinamool Congress's plea on counting staff, stating that 'no further orders are necessary.' The decision comes amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal, where the ruling party had sought intervention in the vote counting process.

The bottom line

• Sonam Wangchuk and other Ladakh leaders met Amit Shah, seeking constitutional safeguards for the region.
• Repolling in 15 West Bengal booths followed EVM tampering claims, with BJP raising concerns about contractual workers in counting.
• Maharashtra HSC and Odisha 10th results are scheduled for release in the coming days.
• Apurva Shrivastava's AI startup reached a $1 billion valuation, originating from a 'missed call' idea.
• Buddha relics visited Ladakh for the first time, with a 15-day exposition and a journey to Zanskar valley.
• The Supreme Court rejected TMC's plea on counting staff, allowing the process to proceed without further orders.