Leh,18-03-2024 : The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) has issued a call for a half-day general strike slated for March 20, standing in solidarity with renowned education reformist Sonam Wangchuk. Wangchuk’s hunger strike, now in its 13th day, advocates for statehood and constitutional protections for the Union Territory of Ladakh. As the agitation gains momentum in Ladakh, both the KDA and the Leh-based Apex body anticipate a surge in activism. However, their recent meeting with the Union Home Ministry yielded no breakthrough, leading to a stalemate.
Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent advocate for Ladakh’s constitutional safeguards, highlighted the dire conditions faced by protestors, with 250 individuals braving the freezing cold to amplify their demands. He underscored the need for Ladakh’s democratic rights, lamenting the centralization of power in New Delhi, which he likened to a “stepmother of democracy” for the region.
Commencing his “climate fast” on March 6, Wangchuk’s protest gained traction following the breakdown of talks between KDA-Apex body representatives and the Central government.
In response, the KDA in Kargil declared a half-day general strike on March 20, accompanied by a protest rally to express solidarity with Wangchuk and the ongoing movement. Co-chairman Qamar Ali Akhoon emphasized the need to update the public on the status of negotiations with the government.
Asgar Ali Karbalai, also a KDA co-chairman, stressed the inclusive nature of the agitation, dispelling misconceptions propagated by vested interests seeking to sow discord among Ladakh’s communities. Karbalai announced plans for joint leadership meetings in Leh or Kargil to strategize the way forward, following the government’s rejection of key demands, including statehood and constitutional safeguards under the sixth schedule.
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