Proposed ‘Fast Unto Death’ Protest in Ladakh Dependent on Outcome of Government Talks, Says Sonam Wangchuk

Leh, 20-02-2024 : Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent advocate for constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, stated on Tuesday that the proposed “fast unto death” protest would be reconsidered next week, contingent upon the results of discussions with the Central Government regarding their various demands, including statehood for the Union Territory.

“We will convene a significant public gathering in Leh city on February 26 to either express gratitude to the government for acknowledging the demands of Ladakh’s people or initiate a fast unto death if the talks fail,” Wangchuk conveyed, prior to commencing a hunger strike in support of the demands.

The Ladakh leadership, presently stationed in the national capital, temporarily shelved the “fast unto death” initiative following a recent round of discussions with the central government on Monday, deeming the development as significant. It was stated that the Centre had agreed to thoroughly deliberate the demands for Ladakh’s statehood, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, and the establishment of an exclusive public service commission for the region.

This agreement transpired during a meeting between the High Powered Committee (HPC) for Ladakh, led by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, and a 14-member delegation comprising representatives of the Apex Body of Leh (ABL) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), representing various organizations in the Union Territory.

Furthermore, the meeting resolved to establish a joint sub-committee to delve into the specifics of the demands. “We will await the outcome of the sub-committee meeting on February 24 and the return of our leaders to Leh on February 25. Subsequently, we will convene a significant public gathering in Leh city the following day to either express gratitude to the government for meeting our demands or initiate our fast unto death if the talks fail,” Wangchuk, a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, affirmed.

Among the delegation’s demands are two Lok Sabha seats—one for Kargil and one for Leh—and enhanced job opportunities for residents of the Union Territory. Currently, Ladakh has one Lok Sabha seat.

Previously part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh no longer retains any assembly constituency following the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5, 2019. Consequently, the region was bifurcated into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The BJP-led Centre assured the Ladakh delegation in December of its commitment to accelerating the development of the Union Territory and fulfilling the aspirations of its people. This assurance was extended during a meeting with the HPC for Ladakh.

Formed under Rai’s chairmanship, the HPC for Ladakh has been tasked with deliberating measures to safeguard the region’s distinct culture and language, considering its geographical and strategic significance. Additionally, the HPC is mandated to address land and employment protection, promote inclusive development, empower the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) of Leh and Kargil, and explore constitutional safeguards.

Various organizations in Ladakh had long advocated for a separate Union Territory, a demand realized on August 5, 2019. Nonetheless, the KDA and the ABL have recently staged protests across different locations, including New Delhi, Jammu, and Ladakh, underscoring their primary demands.

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