New Delhi: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and the Leh Apex Body on Wednesday announced a 35-day fast in Leh to press for Ladakh’s statehood and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Speaking at a press conference after an all-faith prayer service, Wangchuk — a Ramon Magsaysay awardee, educator and climate activist — said the decision was taken as the Union home ministry has not held any talks with them over the past two months.
He said they were compelled to intensify their movement since the Centre has failed to address their demands. “Talks with the Union government stopped two months ago, just when discussions on the main demands were about to begin,” he noted.
With Leh Hill Council elections approaching, Wangchuk reminded the BJP of its earlier promise to grant Ladakh Sixth Schedule status. “That commitment should be honoured before the upcoming polls,” he said.
The fast will run for 35 days, with October 2 — Gandhi Jayanti — marked as a symbolic milestone. “Through the all-faith prayer, we want to show that our protest is peaceful, non-violent, and rooted in constitutional demands,” he added.
