Leh: In a significant display of solidarity, the Leh Apex Body has called for a hunger strike on October 13 to support Sonam Wangchuk and his team, who have been on a hunger strike for 10 days in New Delhi’s Ladakh Bhavan. The move underscores the escalating tensions and demands for greater autonomy and recognition for Ladakh within Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Kashmir Media Service, “The demands central to the hunger strike include the incorporation of Ladakh into the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, achieving statehood, the establishment of a public service commission, and the allocation of separate Lok Sabha seats for the Leh and Kargil districts.” Tsering Dorjey Lakruk, chairman of the Leh Apex Body, voiced concerns over the health of the hunger strikers and criticized New Delhi’s lack of responsiveness to the plight of the Ladakh people.

The call for a hunger strike by the Leh Apex Body aims to amplify the pressure on the Indian government to reengage in dialogue concerning these critical regional issues. This movement gains further significance as government officials have yet to respond to the protestors’ ongoing demonstration and their demands.