Delhi: Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent Ladakhi climate activist, along with his supporters, is persisting in an indefinite hunger strike outside Ladakh Bhawan in Delhi. The strike, which started five days ago, aims to advocate for the constitutional rights of the people in the Ladakh region of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the group’s protest seeks to secure Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh, among other rights, to ensure greater autonomy and recognition of the region’s unique cultural identity. Despite the ongoing protest, there has been no official response from Indian government officials to the demonstrators’ demands or their requests for dialogue.
Wangchuk has expressed concerns over the neglect of border residents’ voices, emphasizing the strategic mistake of ignoring their needs and contributions. He noted, “They will realize that when it was time to help us, we were not even heard,” reflecting the frustration among the protesters.
Participants, including elderly and those with health issues like diabetes, have endured significant hardships during the strike, facing high temperatures and health risks. One activist, Mehdi, reported that several protesters are suffering from low blood pressure due to the conditions. Another protester, Liyaqat, criticized the restricted access to Ladakh Bhawan, noting that even Ladakhi students wanting to support the strike were denied entry.
The hunger strike follows a march from Leh to Delhi, termed ‘Delhi Chalo,’ led by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which initially saw the activists detained and later released by Delhi Police. Since then, Wangchuk claims to have been effectively detained at Ladakh Bhawan, prompting the location for their ongoing protest.
The activists are calling for direct talks with high-level Indian officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to discuss their demands for statehood, a public service commission, and separate representation for Leh and Kargil districts in the Indian parliament.