Ladakh Activist Sonam Wangchuk Announces Indefinite Fast From Oct 5, says 'Not Heard From PM, HM...'

New Delhi: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk announced that he and fellow protesters from Ladakh will begin an indefinite fast starting Saturday due to a lack of response from the government regarding their request for a meeting with the President, Prime Minister, or Union Home Minister.

Wangchuk has been leading the 'Delhi Chalo Padyatra,' which started from Leh a month ago. This march was organized by the Leh Apex Body, in collaboration with the Kargil Democratic Alliance, to advocate for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution—a movement they have been pursuing for the past four years.

Wangchuk To Begin Indefinite Fast From Saturday

During a press conference, the climate activist stated that they had reached out to the offices of the President, Prime Minister, and Union Home Minister to request an appointment. They were assured they would be notified about the meeting by Friday at 5 PM.

"We have not received any response from the government. So we will sit on an indefinite fast from tomorrow," Wangchuk said.

Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa and other members of the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, including Sajjad Kargili, Asgar Karbalai, Tseering Punchok, and Ashraf Ali Barcha, were present on the dais.

"Officials of the Home Ministry assured us, they asked us to go to Rajghat and break our fast that we had started while in detention. They assured us that they would give us time to meet the leadership. But they have not said anything, so we have no option but to go on a fast," Wangchuk said.

He said they have requested the authorities to provide them space in Jantar Mantar for holding the fast, but they have not received any confirmation yet and appealed to all political parties and organisations to provide them with a venue for the protest.

"I would appeal to any organisation or party, political or non-political, social or religious organisation... we will hold our fast at any appropriate site. It will be peaceful... we will follow the path of 'satyagrah' shown by Mahatma Gandhi," Wangchuk said.

"We hope we get Jantar Mantar, but if we do not get permission, we will sit wherever we are offered a place," he said.

The climate activist said locals in Ladakh can best protect the ecology of Ladakh, but they have no role in decision-making.

"We are under a kind of permanent governor's rule where people's representatives are not there to make decisions. This should not happen. There is no mechanism for people to participate in the decision-making process," he said.

He said they demand a meeting with the top national leadership and talks should resume on the four-point demands of Ladakh.

Wangchuk and 150 people from Ladakh were detained from Delhi's Singhu border on Monday night. They were taken to Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Rajghat on Wednesday and were released after that. 

(With inputs from PTI)