Sonam Wangchuk Reaches 15th Day of Hunger Strike, Who Is He?

The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) has called for a half-day general strike on Wednesday, March 20, in support of education reformist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike in Leh since March 6. Wangchuk is demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards under the sixth schedule for Ladakh, a Union Territory.

Despite harsh weather conditions, Sonam Wangchuk initiated a ‘climate fast’ as talks between Leh-based Apex body representatives, the KDA leading an agitation, and the central government reached an impasse.

On Tuesday, Wangchuk announced plans for a border march to highlight the challenges faced by Ladakh, including the loss of pasture land to industrialization in India and encroachment from China. He intends to lead 10,000 Ladakhi shepherds and farmers in this march to showcase the ground reality to the world.

Why is he in Hunger Strike? What Are His Demands?

Sonam Wangchuk is advocating for four main demands during the protest:

1. Statehood for Ladakh and the implementation of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

2. The Sixth Schedule provides protections for land and grants nominal autonomy to tribal areas.

3. New Delhi granted Union Territory (UT) status to Ladakh in 2019, abolishing Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) special constitutional status.

4. Wangchuk is also calling for separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts, a distinct recruitment process, and a separate Public Service Commission for Ladakh.

5. Additionally, he argues that the UT status has made Ladakh vulnerable to industrial exploitation, posing a threat to the delicate Himalayan ecosystem.

Sonam’s Allegations:

Sonam Wangchuk accuses the Centre of failing to fulfill its promises after a delay of four years.

“After engaging in delaying tactics for four years, the Centre abruptly refused to fulfill its promises on March 4. This represents a complete breach of trust and faith in leaders, governments, and the electoral process. If such actions persist, it will set a negative precedent for future elections and governments,” Wangchuk stated.

“We hear that Prime Minister Modi is an aspirant of the Nobel peace prize. Well, I know the Nobel foundation because I have done lectures there at investiture ceremonies and trust (me) integrity of character is one of the minimum values they expect. The other simple appeal the people of Ladakh are making from the government is to restore basic democracy,” he added.

Meanwhile, Wangchuk also expressed concern that while Jammu and Kashmir is expected to experience full democracy after assembly elections, Ladakh will remain under the governance of bureaucrats controlled from New Delhi.

“The government often refers to India as the ‘Mother of Democracy.’ However, if India denies democratic rights to the people of Ladakh and continues to govern it through bureaucrats from New Delhi, then it could be seen as a neglectful guardian of democracy, especially in Ladakh,” he emphasized, urging the public to support their cause.

“I urge people worldwide to organize small gatherings and observe a fast in your respective cities on March 24, if possible,” he concluded.

Who is Sonam Wangchuk?

Sonam Wangchuk, an Indian engineer, innovator, and advocate for educational reform, serves as the founding director of the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh.

Established in 1988 by a group of students, this organization was formed in response to what Wangchuk describes as the imposition of an unfamiliar education system on Ladakh, affecting students who felt like “victims” of this approach.