New Delhi, Oct 7:
Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk on Monday said that despite assurances from the Home Ministry regarding a meeting with leaders, no action has been taken so far. He added that he has travelled on foot from Leh and seeks assurances from the leaders in the capital.
“The Home Ministry assured us that a meeting with the leaders would be arranged, but nothing has happened yet. We have come on foot from Leh and are hoping for some assurances from our leaders,” said Wangchuk.
“We are here on a hunger strike. In the world’s largest democracy, the least that should happen is that I get to meet the leaders,” he added.
Wangchuk also expressed his disappointment, highlighting that glaciers are melting and global warming is accelerating due to the lifestyles of people in major cities. Criticising the government, he pointed out that plans to install power plants in the Himalayas would adversely affect the livelihoods of the herdsmen in the region.
“We haven’t received any communication from them yet, though they claim work is ongoing. The lifestyles in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Paris, and London are contributing to the melting of our glaciers and global warming. When the glaciers melt completely, we will be the first to become refugees and be forced to migrate. There is also a plan to install power plants in the Himalayas. While people will get power, the lives of herdsmen will be ruined,” he said.
On Sunday, Wangchuk launched an indefinite hunger strike to highlight the region’s demand for statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Wangchuk and his supporters are advocating for constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, seeking inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. They believe this would empower the local population to protect their land and cultural identity, a demand backed by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
