Srinagar, June 17: Sonam Wangchuk, a Ladakhi engineer and innovator on Saturday began a seven-day hunger strike in support of his campaign for the protection of the fragile environment of Ladakh.
The education reformist, who inspired a pivotal character in the Bollywood blockbuster 3 Idiots, announced the hunger strike near NDS Stadium, to invite the Union Government’s attention to the demands of the people of Ladakh.
In his tweet, Wangchuk wrote, Hope prayers work better than protests. Leaders of all communities in Ladakh gathered for 1 Day ClimateFast prayers to support the talks between Ladakhi leaders and Home Ministry.
Earlier, addressing the press conference in Leh Ladakh, along with prominent socio religious leader of the UT, he declared a “climatic fast” for the second time in the past six months.
The move comes day before beginning of talks between the Ministry of Home Affairs and a six-member joint delegation of the Leh-based Apex body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) who are seeking full statehood, constitutional protections under the sixth schedule, separate Lok Sabha seats for the two districts, and recruitment and job reservation for young people from Ladakh.
He said Ladakhi’s have dedicated the first day of the climatic fast for the success of the talks between the central government and our leaders.
He said thousands more across Ladakh are observing fast and holding prayers and large number of locals have joined at NDS Stadium.
“Ladakh is a sensitive and crucial region about both the environment as well as the presence of China and Pakistan across its borders. We want a solution to our issues peacefully without any disturbance or agitation,” he said.
Wangchuk said from a security point of view Ladakh is an important place, people of this region have played vital role during wars.
“We welcome the initiation of talks between the Centre and the leaders of Ladakh. People are hopeful of a positive outcome which will be beneficial for our coming generations,” he said.
Earlier in his video message, he had requested the Prime Minister for preservation of the environment, culture and heritage of Ladakh by extending the Sixth Schedule to the Union Territory.
Wangchuk was born in Uleytokpo near Alchi of Leh district. He won the Ramon Magsasay award for his community-driven reform of learning systems in remote northern India, thus improving the life opportunities of Ladakhi youth.
On Jan 21, he announced the climate change strike and appealed to Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi to intervene and give safeguards to eco-fragile Ladakh.
“ALL IS NOT WELL in Ladakh! To draw the attention of Govt. & the world I plan to sit on a 5-day #ClimateFast from 26 Jan at Khardungla pass at 18000 ft -40 °C,” he had tweeted.
