NEW DELHI: Climate activist
Sonam Wangchuk
ended his 21- day
hunger strike
to
demand statehood
for
Ladakh
and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, in a post on X, Sonam wrote, “21st Day OF MY #CLIMATEFAST 350 people slept in – 10 °C. 5000 people in the day here. But still not a word from the government.
We need statesmen of integrity, farsightedness & wisdom in this country & not just shortsighted characterless politicians. And I very much hope that Narendra Modi ji and Amit Shah ji will soon prove that they are statesmen…”
Sonam Wangchuk, an engineer and education reformer, began his protest on March 6, demanding statehood for Ladakh. His protest on March 6 was held at an altitude of 3,500 metres with sub-zero temperatures.
He has been highlighting the damage from industrialization to the region’s fragile ecology and the impact on glaciers. One of his demands is the implementation of the sixth schedule to ensure land protection and autonomy for tribal areas in Ladakh. Gradually, his protest is gathering support and media attention across India.
