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The Ladakh Protest: The 21-day Hunger Strike led by Sonam Wangchuk 

Ladakh, famously known as “Mars on Earth”, is the perfect destination where the mind slows down and the soul finds its path.

It is the northeastern Union territory of India, known for its highest mountain ranges, mesmerizing landscapes, beautiful deep valleys, crystal clear blue lakes, diverse wildlife, highest motorable mountain roads, Buddhist heritage, and the overall picturesque beauty of the place.

Ladakh: A union territory without legislature

Ladakh, which was a part of Jammu and Kashmir since 1847, was separated from Indian-administered Kashmir in 2019 and was reconstituted as a Union territory on October 31, 2019.

People of Ladakh have constantly demanded separate territory since the 1930s due to the unfair treatment of Kashmir and the prevailing cultural differences between people of Kashmir and Ladakh.

The formation of Ladakh as a separate Union territory was widely celebrated. Still, people were disappointed because it was made a UT without a legislative assembly and would have a lieutenant governor, while Jammu and Kashmir had a legislature.

What does it mean to have no legislature in Ladakh?

Unlike J&K, Ladakh cannot elect its own representative.

Ladakh will be ruled directly by the central government through a lieutenant governor as an administrator.

The President of India has the power to form rules and regulations for Ladakh, according to Article 240.

Sonam Wangchuk following his Father’s footsteps

Sonam Wangyal was born in 1925 in a small village in the Leh district of Ladakh. He worked his entire life for the rights of the people of Ladakh. He had strong secular beliefs.

He was appointed as the MLC of Jammu and Kashmir from 1957–1967 and as the MLA from 1967–1972, due to his selfless service toward the people of Ladakh.

Wangyal was also an active member in the campaign for ST status for Ladakhis, which was carried out between 1982 and 1984. 

In 1984, on his five-day hunger strike, the former Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, visited Leh and requested Wangyal to withdraw from the strike with the promise of granting the status of ST to the people of Ladakh.

Following his father’s strong morals and values and showcasing his devotion to the land and people of Ladakh, Sonam Wangchuk, a nature activist, engineer, innovator, and educationalist, began a “climate fast for 21 days” on March 6, 2024.

Why are they protesting?

The primary goal behind the protest is to raise awareness about the fragile ecosystem of Ladakh endangered by the growing industrial and developmental projects approved in New Delhi without consent, a threat posed as a result of having no legislative assembly in the Union territory of Ladakh.

The residents of Ladakh have two key demands:

Full-fledged statehood for Ladakh: the residents have demanded to elevate Ladakh’s status as a Union territory to a full-fledged state. This would enable Ladakh to have its own government and the right to form its own rules and regulations in favor of the land and people of the territory.

Integration of Ladakh in the 6th Schedule of the Constitution: The 6th Schedule aims to protect areas with tribal and indigenous populations. By including Ladakh in the 6th schedule, it would allow the state to establish autonomous districts and regional councils.

These elected bodies will have the power to administer and protect the tribal regions of the area. It would give the Ladakhis more control over water management, land use, and cultural preservation.

What is the government’s response to the ongoing protest?

Unlike the response and action taken upon the hunger strike carried out by Wangchuk’s father, the present-day government is MIA. 

The current government seems unbothered by the demands and protests in Ladakh, just the way it is, and the deteriorating situation in Manipur. 

The pioneers of the movement and every other active citizen in and out of Ladakh are furious about the inaction of the government and the PM, who knowingly promised in his 2019 manifesto of Lok Sabha, that Ladakh will be incorporated into the 6th schedule of the constitution. But apparently, they failed to honor their promises.

Lack of media coverage:

The lack of media coverage is infuriating for the people of Ladakh and the active citizens of India.

Although the independent media and journalists who are physically present in the ongoing protests do cover the news for the country, But it is disappointing to witness the lack of coverage by mainstream media and the big houses.

The scarcity of coverage of this major issue conceals the truth from the nation. The nation wants to know more about the concerns and affairs of the territory. Unless there is some news from the local media houses, the lack of coverage by the recognized media houses keeps the common man from knowing what is really happening there.

The current news on the Ladakh protest:

According to the current news,

Wangchuk survived solely on water and salt during the 21-day hunger strike (inspired by Gandhiji), which lasted from March 6th to March 26th.

In his speech, he talked about the “21-day fast"—that 21 days was the longest fast that Gandhiji kept during the independence movement.

Wangchuk states that the 21-day fast is over, but the protest will still continue. They will only rest when the government agrees to fulfill their demands.

Wangchuk said, “After me, women will begin a 10-day fast tomorrow. This will be followed by youth and Buddhist monks. Then it could be women, or I could come back. This cycle will go on.”

After ending his 21-day fast, Wangchuk stated “We will continue our struggle (in support of our demands). The gathering of 10,000 people at the venue and the participation of over 60,000 others over the past 20 days is a testimony of the people's aspirations.” 

Conclusion:

All things considered, Ladakh, the "Land of High Passes," stands at a crossroads. While the echoes of their protests might fade from national headlines, the Ladakhi people's yearning for a brighter future persists. Whether they find resolution in the sixth schedule status or the full-throated roar of statehood, one thing is certain: Ladakh's story is far from over.