New Delhi: Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike in Delhi on Sunday, demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Wangchuk, along with 18 others, initiated the protest at Ladakh Bhawan after being denied permission to demonstrate at Jantar Mantar. The group raised slogans like “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” “Jai Ladakh,” and “Save Ladakh, Save Himalaya.”
Wangchuk stated that they were left with no choice but to begin the hunger strike at Ladakh Bhawan after being denied a venue for their peaceful protest.
He also mentioned that despite prior assurances, Delhi’s top leaders had not given them time for a meeting, forcing him to resume his hunger strike, which he had previously broken at Rajghat.
Earlier in the week, Wangchuk and 150 supporters were detained by Delhi Police at the Delhi-Haryana border during their ‘Delhi Chalo Padayatra,’ led by the Leh Apex Body, which, along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance, has been pushing for four key demands for the past four years.
These demands include statehood, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, a public service commission for Ladakh, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil.
