Sonam Wangchuk, Magsaysay award-winning educationist recently concluded 21 days long “climate fast” – hunger strike in Leh, which he had begun on March 6th. In an effort to draw the attention of the Indian leaders to the threat posed to the ecology of the region and demand constitutional safeguards for Ladakh.
While his hunger strike was concluded on March 26th, it does not mark the end of the project as he mentioned “climate fast” would be relayed by a group of women then monks & nuns and then by the elderly.
Further, on March 27th the educationist announced that the agitation to demand statehood for Ladakh will be intensified, hinting at the continuation of the “climate fast” by others. Additionally, he announced a ‘border march’ will be held on April 7th in the eastern part of the region to highlight the grim on ground-situations, including alleged encroachments by China, as reported by the Press Trust of India.
Being part of the Leh apex body (LAB), stated that they have adopted the Gandhian approach of agitation, pivotal to safeguarding the pristine environment of the region and the indigenous character of its population.
“We are followers of Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha. We are demanding the fulfillment of the promises made to us…”, he added, reported by the PTI.
However, this is not the first time that Sonam Wangchuk has undertaken a climate fast, in the previous year in January as well as June he has undertaken such agitations.
Demand for Statehood
The longstanding aspiration of the people of Ladakh for a separate state has been ongoing. The dissatisfaction arises from the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, which abolished the special status of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in Ladakh becoming a Union Territory (UT) without a legislature. Consequently, the region became accessible to individuals from other states, prompting calls for Ladakh’s statehood and protections under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution by the Ladakh Autonomous Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
The resentment from the unkept promises took the form of protests. In recent times, the region has witnessed numerous shutdowns and demonstrations.
Notably, the Sixth Schedule bestows substantial autonomy upon indigenous tribes by establishing Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) vested with legislative and judicial powers. These councils are authorized to formulate regulations pertaining to various domains including land, forests, healthcare, etc.
Climate Protest
Wangchuk’s efforts in the agitation aim to draw attention to the damage to the fragile ecology of Ladakh and the threat posed to the pristine environment and glaciers from industrialization. He told The Associated Press last week that: “We are already facing climate disaster and these glaciers and mountains will be destroyed if there is not a check on unbridled industrial development and military maneuvers.”