Sonam Wangchuk Begins 35-Day Fast for Ladakh Statehood
Activist demands statehood, Sixth Schedule for Ladakh.
Climate activist and Ramon Magsaysay awardee Sonam Wangchuk, alongside the Leh Apex Body, launched a 35-day fast in Leh to press for Ladakh’s inclusion under the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule and full statehood. The dramatic escalation follows two months of silence from the Union home ministry, stalling talks on these long-standing demands.
Speaking at a press conference preceded by an all-faith prayer service, Wangchuk expressed frustration over the central government’s inaction. “Just as discussions were nearing our core demands, the government stopped calling meetings,” he said, accusing the Centre of ignoring Ladakh’s pleas for constitutional protections and political autonomy. The Sixth Schedule would grant Ladakh special provisions to safeguard its cultural and environmental identity, while statehood would ensure greater self-governance.
Wangchuk highlighted the upcoming Hill Council elections in Leh, reminding the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of its unfulfilled promise to grant Sixth Schedule status during the last polls. “The promise must be honored before the elections,” he urged, signaling that the fast, set to culminate on Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), will mark a pivotal moment in their non-violent protest.
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The Leh Apex Body’s all-faith prayer service underscored the movement’s commitment to peace and constitutional boundaries. “Our protest is non-violent, and our demands are within India’s legal framework,” Wangchuk emphasized, rallying support from diverse communities in Ladakh.
The fast intensifies a broader campaign, including the Delhi Chalo Padyatra, which saw Wangchuk and supporters detained in Delhi earlier this year. With Ladakh’s unique ecological and cultural heritage at stake, Wangchuk’s hunger strike has drawn national attention, putting pressure on the Centre to address the region’s demands for autonomy and protection.
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