Leh, Sep 10, KNT: Climate activist and Ramon Magsaysay awardee Sonam Wangchuk along with the Leh Apex Body on Wednesday launched a 35-day fast in Leh to press for Ladakh’s inclusion under the Constitution’s sixth schedule and for the grant of statehood to the Union Territory.
The fast began after an all-faith prayer service that Wangchuk said was intended to underline the peaceful and non-violent nature of their movement. “Our protest is peaceful, non-violent, and our demands are within the ambit of the Indian Constitution,” he said.
Addressing a press conference, Wangchuk said they were compelled to intensify their agitation as the Union home ministry had not convened any meeting with them over their demands for the past two months. “The talks with the Union government stopped around two months ago. Just as the discussions were going to reach a point where the main demands were to be addressed, the government did not call another meeting,” he stated.
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Wangchuk stressed that their demands include constitutional safeguards for Ladakh under the sixth schedule and restoration of statehood to ensure political and ecological protection for the region. He also reminded the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of its pre-election promise made during the last Hill Council polls in Leh, urging that the commitment be fulfilled before the upcoming elections.
“The promise should be fulfilled before the upcoming polls,” Wangchuk said, adding that October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, would serve as a “landmark” in their ongoing struggle.
The Leh Apex Body, comprising political, religious, and civil society groups, has been spearheading the agitation alongside the Kargil Democratic Alliance. Both bodies have repeatedly voiced concern over the Centre’s delay in addressing Ladakh’s constitutional and political aspirations. [KNT]
