• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Tue, 26 Mar 2024 06:14 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Sonam Wangchuk Climate Fast: The hunger strike by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk over the central demand for the grant of statehood to the union territory of Ladakh entered day 21 on Tuesday. One of the other demands raised by Wangchuk includes the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

Speaking on Wangchuk's protest, namely the 'climate fast', Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav attacked the country's ruling BJP, posing a rhetorical question as to how a party is supposed to understand the importance of those fasting with the help of 'water and salt' when its own eyes have dried up and it does not even know how to repay 'Namak ka karj'.

Akhilesh also extended support to Wangchuk's protest, saying, "The people of the country are with Sonam Wangchuk ji in every way in his struggle to protect Ladakh and the country's borders. We give everyone's 'full support' which will make their movement successful."

Wangchuk has promised to extend his fast, which was originally meant to last 21 days, until death. Ladakh's existence as a union territory came with the bifurcation of the erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir following the revocation of the special status granted to the state under Article 370.

Wangchuk claims to have widespread support for his protest in Ladakh. He said that as many as 350 people slept at the demonstration site in Leh in sub-zero temperatures. "21st Day OF MY #CLIMATEFAST... 350 people slept in - 10 °C. 5000 people in the day here. But still not a word from the government."

He also made a seemingly backhanded remark towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying, "We need statesmen of integrity, farsightedness & wisdom in this country & not just shortsighted characterless politicians. And I very much hope that [PM Modi] ji & [Amit Shah] ji will soon prove that they are statesmen."

On Tuesday, actor Prakash Raj, who is a known critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also joined the ongoing protest. In a post on X, he said, "Its my birthday today .. and i’m celebrating by showing solidarity with ⁦[Sonam Wangchuk]⁩ and the people of ladakh who are fighting for us .. our country .. our environment and our future... let’s stand by them #justasking." 

Earlier, on March 21, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had also launched a scathing attack attack at PM Modi over Wngchuk's 'climate fast'. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kharge said, "In Ladakh, there is a strong wave of public support, with unified calls for protections for tribal communities under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution."

He added, "But like all other guarantees - 'Modi Ki Guarantee' to assure Constitutional rights to the people of Ladakh remain a colossal betrayal. It is nothing but FAKE and CHINESE in nature." The post further read, "Modi Govt wants to exploit the eco-sensitive Himalayan glaciers of Ladakh and benefit its crony friends."