Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk began a hunger strike on Sunday after authorities denied him permission to continue his protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Wangchuk, along with several other agitators, had sought permission to lead a peaceful demonstration demanding Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh to safeguard its cultural and land rights.
Speaking from Ladakh Bhavan, where he claims to be “virtually detained,” Wangchuk expressed his disappointment over the unmet assurances of a meeting with the country’s top leadership. “We had no option but to begin a hunger strike. The assurance we were given to meet the top leadership of the country has not materialized, and no dates have been provided. So, we were forced to resume our hunger strike,” he stated.
The activist had previously broken his hunger strike at Rajghat but has resumed the protest following the lack of progress in the ongoing talks.
Wangchuk has been leading a campaign demanding the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which would grant the region special autonomy to preserve its unique cultural heritage.