Wangchuk’s appeal to PM, HM
Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Mar 26: As climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 21-day long hunger strike in support of the demand for Statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution this evening, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) announced massive rally in Leh tomorrow, Border March on April 7 and regular hunger strike by the people.
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LAB senior leader Chering Dorjay Lakruk told the Excelsior that the Apex Body will hold a massive rally in Leh tomorrow to receive Wangchuk who ended his 21 days fast today.
‘”We proposed to hold Border March to Eastern Ladakh on April 7,” he said.
Lakruk said regular hunger strike by the people in support of Statehood and Sixth Schedule among others will continue.
Dharnas will be held separately on different days by women, students, youth besides others
Earlier in the day, Wangchuk made a fresh appeal to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfil promises made to the people of the Union Territory and also called upon people to use their franchise in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections “very carefully” this time in the interest of the nation.
“The first phase of the hunger strike is ending today but this is not the end of the agitation,” Wangchuk said after taking a glass of juice from a minor girl here amid massive turnout of people at the scene of the protest.
The renowned education reformist said the end of the hunger strike is the beginning of the new phase of the ongoing agitation.
“We will continue our struggle (in support of our demands). The gathering of 10,000 people at the venue and participation of over 60,000 others over the past 20 days is a testimony of the people’s aspirations,” Wangchuk said.
He said the struggle is not only an issue concerning Ladakh but the whole country.
He lauded the people of different cities across the country for their support and said this has boosted their morale and he is confident of seeing the country becoming a great nation in the times to come.
Wangchuk observed ‘climate fast’ in sub-zero temperatures since March 6, a day after talks between joint representatives of Leh-based Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which are jointly spearheading the agitation to demand Statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, and the Central Government hit a deadlock.
In a video messages shared on X, Wangchuk reminding the Prime Minister of the promises made by the BJP in its election manifestoes and said Modi is a devotee of Lord Ram and should follow his teaching of ‘pran jaye par vachan na jaye’ (one may lose their life, but must not break their promise).
“While India is the mother of democracy, we citizens have a very special power. We are the kingmakers, we can compel a Government to change their ways or change the Government if that doesn’t work. Let us remember to use our ballot power very carefully this time in the interest of the nation,” said Wangchuk.
“We are trying to remind and awaken the consciousness of our Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to safeguard the fragile ecosystem of Himalayan mountains in Ladakh and the unique indigenous tribal cultures that thrive here.
“We do not think of Modi and Amit (Shah) as just politicians, we would rather like to think of them as statesmen and for that they will have to show some character and some farsightedness,” the climate activist said.
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