The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — After a marathon 66-day hunger strike demanding statehood and constitutional protection for Ladakh, environmentalist Sonam Wangchuck announced the end of the strike, citing the impending Lok Sabha elections and a commitment to maintaining peace during the electoral process.

As per the reports received by the news agency KNO, Wangchuck, flanked by supporters from the Leh Apex Body, emphasized the importance of ensuring a smooth electoral process without disruptions. With only 10 days remaining until the elections, he expressed the need to avoid any complications that could arise from the ongoing hunger strike.

"We do not want any kind of problem in the elections. Therefore, we are ending the strike for now," Wangchuck said. He further expressed hope that the issues concerning Ladakh's statehood and constitutional safeguards would be addressed through the democratic process of voting and subsequent government actions.

Highlighting the core objectives of the hunger strike, Wangchuck reiterated its fundamental purpose. "Our strike was to save the culture, environment, and identity of the people of Ladakh," he said.

The hunger strike, which began in March and continued for over two months, garnered widespread support from various sections of Ladakhi society.

In March, Wangchuck initiated a 21-day hunger strike, which concluded on March 26. Subsequently, the movement gained momentum as youth, women, Buddhist monks, and elders in Leh joined in solidarity, staging consecutive days of hunger strikes in support of Wangchuck's cause.

While the hunger strike has been temporarily suspended, Wangchuck emphasized the readiness to resume protests if necessary in the future.

SRINAGAR — Renowned environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, who recently concluded a 21-day fast in Leh, has pledged to escalate the movement for Ladakh's full statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. Amid ongoing protests, including a hunger strike by women in Leh, Wangchuk emphasized a commitment to Gandhian principles in advancing the cause.

Addressing a rally organized by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) on Thursday, according to the news agency KNO, Wangchuk announced plans to intensify the struggle for Ladakh's statehood and Sixth Schedule status, underscoring a peaceful approach inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. He outlined a forthcoming rally in Ladakh's border areas on April 7 as part of this endeavour, aimed at garnering wider support for the cause while advocating for environmental conservation.

LAB affirmed the continuation of the hunger strike, with diverse segments of society, including women, youth, students, and workers, actively participating. Wangchuk's fast, which concluded recently, has been succeeded by a 10-day hunger strike by women, further amplifying the call for Ladakh's statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion.

Expressing disappointment with the BJP government's failure to fulfil manifesto promises, Wangchuk highlighted the need for concrete action in response to Ladakh's long-standing demands. He criticized the Union Home Ministry's rejection of these demands and urged the government to honour its commitments.

In addition to ongoing protests, Wangchuk outlined plans for a series of hunger strikes involving various stakeholders, including religious leaders and elders, to underscore the urgency of Ladakh's statehood aspirations.

A planned march to Changthang on April 7 aims to shed light on the ground realities faced by Ladakh's residents, amidst growing discontent over unmet promises and political representation.

SRINAGAR — The call for a bandh resonated strongly in Leh as various religious organizations rallied for the cause of Ladakh's special status.

Led by prominent figures including Nawang Dorje Lacrook and Sonam Wangchuk from the Leh Apex Body, hundreds gathered in support of implementing the Sixth Schedule in Ladakh to safeguard its unique culture and environment.

According to the news agency KNO, despite talks between Home Ministry officials and Ladakh's public representatives yielding no positive outcomes, Leh witnessed a significant shutdown on Thursday.

Business establishments remained closed, and the streets were devoid of their usual hustle and bustle. Public transportation services came to a standstill, although private vehicles were still seen plying the roads. However, government offices continued operations unaffected by the bandh.

The onset of an indefinite hunger strike by renowned environmentalist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk at the NDS Stadium further underscored the intensity of the demands put forth by Ladakh's populace. The hunger strike commenced following a massive rally that saw participation from across Leh.

Addressing the gathering, Leh Apex Body members Nawang Dorje Lacrook and Sonam Wangchuk reiterated the urgent need for implementing the Sixth Schedule in Ladakh. They emphasized that such measures were essential for the preservation of Ladakh's distinct cultural heritage and pristine environment.

Representatives from Ladakh expressed disappointment, claiming that their demands, including statehood, full implementation of the Sixth Schedule, the establishment of a Public Service Commission, and an additional parliamentary seat for Kargil, were not addressed adequately.

SRINAGAR — The latest session of the sub-committee convened to address Ladakh's pressing concerns concluded without a breakthrough. Representatives from Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) revealed the impasse following discussions with Home Ministry officials and the advisor to the Ladakh Lieutenant Governor.

However, specifics regarding the discord remain undisclosed, leaving the nature of the rift shrouded in ambiguity.

In the aftermath of the inconclusive meeting, according to the inputs received by the news agency KNO, LAB and KDA leaders sought further deliberations with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Despite their efforts, discussions failed to yield tangible results.

Top sources informed that LAB and KDA representatives pledged to consult with local constituents before charting their next course of action.

It was informed further that central to the discussions were Ladakh's demands concerning the implementation of the sixth schedule, a topic that sparked detailed exchanges during the meeting.

Home Ministry officials, citing legal expertise, outlined a timeline of two to three months for the fulfilment of these demands. However, LAB and KDA leaders remained steadfast in their insistence on immediate action. Sources close to the negotiations highlighted the procedural complexities associated with meeting Ladakhi demands.

While acknowledging the validity of the grievances, it was underscored that any resolutions must withstand legal scrutiny and cannot be hastily enacted under external pressures.

The sub-committee's inaugural meeting on February 24 marked the onset of dialogue aimed at addressing Ladakh's multifaceted challenges. Before this, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai conducted two rounds of discussions with Ladakhi leaders and laid the groundwork for subsequent engagements.

LADAKH — Eminent educationist and reformist from Ladakh, Sonam Wangchuk is observing a hunger strike to protect the environment of Ladakh and demanding the fulfillment of the four-point agenda of Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance which also includes the implementation of the 6th Scheduled for Ladakh.

Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance are up in arms against the BJP-led Central government, demanding the protection of jobs and land in the Ladakh region.

In his address to the media, Sonam Wangchuk appealed to the prime minister and home minister to personally initiate dialogue with the leadership of Ladakh for resolving the demands of the Ladakhi people.

Both the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance have welcomed the statement of Sonam Wangchok and have called for a mass rally on January 31 against the failure of the Union Government to protect the identity and culture of the Ladakh region. The people of Ladakh have been seeking constitutional safeguards for jobs and land.

An unnamed leader from Kargil Democratic Alliance, quoted by the news agency KNT, said that Thupstan Chhewang, Chairman Leh Apex Body has appealed to the people of Ladakh to make the rally a grand success and participate in it even if there is a snowfall.

“We also appeal to the people of Ladakh to join and support the mass rally to make it a success so that the Central government takes serious note of the voice of the agitating people of Ladakh regarding the fulfillment of the four-point agenda of Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic alliance,” he said.

Pertinently, Sonam Wangchuk is an engineer, innovator, and education reformist. He is the founding director of the Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) and is also known for designing the SECMOL campus that runs on solar energy and uses no fossil fuels for cooking, lighting, or heating.