Renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is on a 21-day fasting protest. Today (March 26), he entered Day 21 of the protest, and till now, the protest has received no outcome.
Wangchuk began his fast on March 6 at 3,500 meters above sea level. Also, thousands of Ladakhi people have joined him in this protest. According to Wanghuck, he is following Mahatma Gandhi’s path, where he also took a fast of 21 days during the independence struggle.
Wangchuk said he believes that by following the Mahatma’s path, they are inflicting pain on themselves, so the government and policymakers notice their pain and act on time.” This protest is receiving huge support on the Internet, as people believe the Union Government should listen to the demands of Wangchuk, which eventually become the demands of the Ladakhi people.
Here’s why Sonam Wangchuk is protesting:
Sixth Schedule For Ladakh :
In 2019, the Union government made Ladakh a Union and Territory. However, at that time, the government promised the people that it wouldn’t be long and that the people of Ladkah would get their full rights.
However, this promise isn’t to be fulfilled on time. Now the people of Ladakh want the government of India to include Ladakh in the 6th schedule of the Indian Constitution. States like Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram are already included in the list.
The 6th schedule of the Indian Constitution under Article 244 provides for the formation of autonomous administrative divisions—Autonomous District Councils (ADCs)—that have some legislative, judicial, and administrative autonomy within a state.
Special status and statehood for Ladakh:
Ladakh was part of the erstwhile state Jammu and Kashmir, but after the revocation of Article 370, it was made a UT. One of the biggest reasons for Sonam Wangchuk’s protest is the special status and statehood of Ladakh, which will give the UT greater political autonomy and decision-making powers.
Article 3 of the Indian Constitution grants the parliament the power to undertake various actions regarding the formation, alteration, or dissolution of states. The people of Ladakh want the government of India to use this to give statehood to Ladakh.
Parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil:
Ladakh comprises the sole Lok Sabha (parliamentary) constituency within the union territory of Ladakh, India. It holds the distinction of being the largest constituency in India in terms of geographical area, with a voter count of approximately 159,000 in 2019. Nevertheless, there is a growing demand among the people of Ladakh for separate parliamentary seats to represent the distinct regions of Leh and Kargil.
Public Services Commission for Ladakh:
Another demand from the people of Ladakh is the establishment of a dedicated Public Service Commission for the region. They believe that bureaucrats from other regions may not fully comprehend the unique challenges faced by the people of Ladakh. Therefore, creating a separate Public Service Commission within Ladakh is seen as a measure to protect local employment opportunities and ensure a better understanding of the region’s specific needs.
Protecting Fragile Ecosystem of Ladakh:
Ladakh’s delicate ecosystem, with its high-altitude deserts, glaciers, and alpine meadows, is a hub of biodiversity, providing a vital habitat for rare and endangered species. Locals in Ladakh express concerns that the introduction of industries may lead to an influx of thousands of individuals, overwhelming this fragile ecosystem’s capacity to sustain such a population.