Social activist, environmentalist, innovator and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk is on hunger strike in Leh since March 6, 2024. Today is the 17th day of his hunger strike. On March 6, when he started this hunger strike, he had said, ‘I am talking to you again today. But this time to start a fast…fast unto death. We will do it in phases in view of the upcoming elections. In phases of 21-21 days…until the voice of our Ladakh is heard…until the government pays attention to Ladakh.”
What is Sonam Wangchuk’s demand?
Sonam Wangchuk and her supporters are demanding from the Central Government that Union Territory Ladakh be given state status under the Sixth Schedule and constitutional safeguards should be provided. Apart from this, he is also demanding two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat for Ladakh. In simple language, Sonam Wangchuk and her supporters want that there should be two Lok Sabha seats in Ladakh for elections and one seat for Rajya Sabha should also be sent from this state. Wangchuk and his supporters are on hunger strike in Leh since March 6 regarding this demand. Before this hunger strike, there was a big demonstration in Leh on 3rd February regarding these demands.
HAPPY WORLD WATER DAY!
Beginning the 17th day of my #climatefast,
Himalayan glaciers are melting away fast.
And our automated artificial glaciers in Ladakh cannot solve this problem.
But you can… #SaveLadakh #SaveHimalayas #SaveGlaciers #6thSchedule @LeoDiCaprio @350, pic.twitter.com/URPMBBTJ0S— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) March 22, 2024
Why are you demanding inclusion in the Sixth Schedule?
First understand what is the Sixth Schedule? In fact, the Sixth Schedule under Article 244 of the Indian Constitution provides for the formation of autonomous district councils in autonomous administrative divisions. They have some legislative, judicial and administrative independence within a state. There are a total of 30 members in the district councils and four members are appointed by the Governor. Whereas, according to the Sixth Schedule, industries can be set up in the area only with the permission of the District Council.
This is the reason why Sonam Wangchuk and her supporters want to give statehood to the Union Territory of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule. Arguing this demand, Sonam Wangchuk in an interview to PTI says, ‘The Sixth Schedule of Article 244 provides protection to the people and cultures of tribal areas like Ladakh and at the same time it can determine that these places can be protected from others. How to develop without interference. This is all we are demanding.
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