It has been over 15 days since the famous climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was on a hunger strike for constitutional rights in Ladakh. Recently, on Tuesday, 19th of March, he announced that his team plans to reach the border to highlight the “ground reality” in Ladakh. They are protesting to support Ladakh’s statehood and rights under the sixth schedule.
Words from Sonam Wangchuk:
“Our nomads are losing prime pasture land to huge Indian industrial plants to the south & Chinese encroachment to the north. To show the ground reality, we’re planning a Border March of 10,000 Ladakhi shepherds & farmers soon”
He started his fast for the climate on the 6th of March, which began after the conversation between the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and Leh-based Apex Body.
What Exactly Is Sonam Wangchuk Demanding?
Sonam Wangchuk has four major demands, which include:
- The constitutional rights in Ladakh and the state that implemented the sixth schedule. This schedule will guarantee land protection in Ladakh and nominal autonomy for the country’s tribal areas.
- Sonam has another demand to separate the Kargil and Leh districts’ Lok Sabha seats.
- He wants them to create a proper step-wise recruitment process in the commission and a separate Public Service Commission in Ladakh.
- The climate activist also said Ladakh deserves a full-fledged democratic government similar to Jammu and Kashmir’s democracy, which will be effective after the assembly election.
The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) also called for a General half-strike on the 20th of March in solidarity with the acts of Sonam Wangchuk.
Wangchuk also mentioned that he is not alone, and more than 250 people are on a hunger strike in the minus 12 degrees Celsius temperature in Ladakh to protect the environment, land, and rich tribal culture of our country.