Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and other residents of Ladakh are currently on a hunger strike to demand constitutional safeguards for the region bordering China which was converted into a Union Territory in 2019.
A high-powered committee (HPC) led by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai was first constituted in January 2023 to address the concerns of people in Ladakh. The committee was reconstituted in November 2023, but the talks broke down in March 2024. The discussions resumed on December 3, 2024, and the last round was held on May 27.
Cherring Dorjay Lakruk, the president of the powerful Ladakh Buddhist Association and co-convenor of the Leh Apex Body – which is part of the HPC – is also spearheading the protest. He speaks to Vijaita Singh.
Why are you protesting again?
This is essentially for our four demands (inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution (tribal status), Statehood, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts, and filling of existing government vacancies). The Home Ministry has suspended the talks, and it is being done to resume the process.
