Ladakh activists begin 35-day fast in Leh demanding political rights
Leh: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and the Leh Apex Body (LAB) members started a 35-day hunger strike in Leh today, demanding political rights for the Ladakh region of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including statehood and protection under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Wangchuk, speaking at a press conference preceded by an all-faith prayer service in Leh, said the fast was necessary as the Indian Home Ministry has not held any meeting with them over their demands in the past two months.
“The talks stopped two months ago just as discussions on the main demands were about to begin. The government has not called another meeting,” he said, adding that New Delhi’s inaction is forcing them to intensify the movement.
Wangchuk emphasized that the all-faith prayer service was held to convey that the protest is peaceful, non-violent, and within the ambit of the Indian Constitution.
Nearly two months ago, Wangchuk had announced that he would go on hunger strike if the BJP-led Indian government failed to hold talks with the and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) over granting statehood and other rights to Ladakh. Both bodies have been leading a prolonged agitation for Ladakh’s political rights since the revocation of IIOJK’s special status and the territory’s bifurcation into two union territories in August 2019.
