By Gulzar Bhat

Copyright thehindubusinessline

A hunger strike by Ladakhi climate activist Sonam Wangchuk entered its second week on Thursday as more people joined his campaign seeking constitutional safeguards and statehood for the cold desert.

Wangchuk and his 15 supporters began a 35-day fast on September 10 in Leh district, pressing demands for Ladakh’s inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and restoration of statehood.

The other demands include creation of a Public Service Commission, and two Lok Sabha seats – one each for Leh and Kargil.

Calls for safeguards have grown since August 2019, when the government revoked Article 370 and split Jammu and Kashmir into two federally governed territories, leaving Ladakh without a legislature.

On Wednesday, Wangchuk used Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday to remind him of pledges made five years ago. In a video message posted on X, he said Modi had promised during the 2019 Lok Sabha and Hill Council elections that Ladakh’s fragile environment, climate and culture would be protected under the Sixth Schedule.

“He had also promised democratic safeguards against outside citizens and the grant of statehood,” Wangchuk said. “Now that the Hill Council elections are approaching, we are hopeful that you will fulfil these promises before the elections.”

In March 2024, Wangchuk staged a 21-day hunger strike in sub-zero temperatures in Leh, pressing similar demands.

Two influential coalitions — the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which bring together political, social, trade and religious groups from both districts — have jointly spearheaded the agitation. The coalitions held multiple rounds of talks with a high-powered committee of union home ministry regarding vis-à-vis their demands.

Government’s response

“The government’s response has been cold, and it is taking Ladakh’s aspirations for granted. People had been pursuing dialogue.,” said Sajad Kargili, a KDA leader.

He said that the talks were halted because of the MHA.

“Without the constitutional safeguards, Ladakh’s fragile ecology and cultural identity remain at risk,” Kargili added.

Local groups also warn that without such protections, Ladakh’s people risk losing control over land and resources, putting their long-term economic security at stake. The Centre government on June 3 announced a new reservation and domicile policy for Ladakh, earmarking 85 per cent of jobs for local residents and setting aside one-third of seats for women in the Hill Development Councils.

On September 14, a delegation of socio-political activists from the Socialist Party, the National Alliance of People’s Movements, and Hum Bharat Ke Log visited Ladakh and held meetings with civil society groups and political leaders. The delegation expressed solidarity with Ladakh’s movement.

Published on September 18, 2025