• Source:JND
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Ladakh Protests:  As his 21-day fast-unto-death entered the last day on Tuesday, celebrated environmentalist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk urged Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah to hear the voice of the people of Ladakh. While denying any response from the central government even after as many as 5,000 people protested with him on Day 21, Wangchuk said that he still hopes that PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah would prove that they are statesmen.

"We need statesmen of integrity, farsightedness & wisdom in this country & not just shortsighted characterless politicians. And I very much hope that Narendra Modi Ji and Amit Shah Ji will soon prove that they are statesmen," he said.

 
 
 
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Why has Sonam Wangchuk been protesting for the last 21 days?

Wangchuk, a known climate activist and the motivation behind the character of 'Phunsukh Wangdu' in 3-Idiots had announced to go on a hunger protest, which he named as 'climate fast', on March 5 after the talks between representatives of Ladakh with the government hit a roadblock after the Union Home Ministry declined to pay heed to their demands.

The Ladakhi leadership have following four important demands for the Union Territory -

1. Statehood for Ladakh
2. Inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution
3. Setting up of a separate public service commission for Ladakh
4. Two parliamentary seats for Ladakh.

The Ministry agreed in principle to negotiate the last two demands, however, outrightly declined the statehood and sixth schedule demand of the representatives.

Following the failure of talks, the leadership along with the local residents decided to make them heard by protesting under the open sky with the temperature falling to as much as -15 degrees Celsius at a height of 3500 meters from the sea level.

Why Ladakh is demanding protection under the 6th schedule of the constitution?

Ladakh, the northernmost part of the country, harbours a richness of natural resources and wildlife. The plateau is home to countless small and big rivers, mighty mountains clad with white-ice glaciers, serene lakes and rich bio-diversity. The valleys and mountains of Ladkah are also home to indigenous people with their rich cultural heritage.

Wangchuk alleges that without appropriate constitutional safeguards, the natural resources of the region will fall prey to the industry and mining lobby which will exploit the already fragile region with abundant greed. He has also criticised the local government for imposing a 13-gigawatt project without consulting locals.

The unregulated tourism is one more menace that is taking a toll on the health of the ecology of the Himalayan region, said Wangchuk. According to an article published in Down To Earth by Tsewang Namgail, the number of tourists coming to Ladakh every year has touched the half-million mark. Mass tourism is also putting population pressure on the fragile ecology of the region.

What is the Constitution's Sixth Schedule and how can it safeguard Ladakh?

The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution has provisions that can ensure the control of the local tribal population over the land and resources of their native region. Currently, the Sixth Schedule provides for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram to safeguard the rights of the tribal population in these states.

Article 244(2) and Article 275(1) of the Constitution deals with the provisions of safeguard under the Sixth Schedule. This provision of the constitution enables the residents of the tribal areas to protect their natural resources by allowing them to exercise legislative and executive powers through autonomous regional councils and autonomous district councils (ADCs).

The multitude of these ecological concerns, along with various others, has prompted the Ladakh people to demand constitutional protection under the Sixth Schedule. Without such safeguards, this region, renowned for its vibrant landscapes comprising colourful mountains, lush valleys, pristine lakes, and clear skies that captivate visitors from far-flung areas, risks losing its essence and vitality, fading into a mere semblance of its former self, Namgail writes in his article.