- By Poorva Karki
- Tue, 26 Mar 2024 01:27 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Sonam Wangchuk Climate Fast: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, an engineer and reformer from Ladakh, has been fasting for 21 days. The educational reformer has been protesting, along with hundreds of supporters, at an altitude of 3,500 meters above sea level since March 06.
Taking to his social media handle, today, he requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ‘tap into’ their ‘statesmen’ spirits. Wangchuk has been sharing videos and updates of his fast for the past 21 days. At the beginning of the climate fast announcement, the activist informed that his climate fast will reportedly be held for 21 days each, in phases.
Coming to his demands, the activist has been reportedly demanding the statehood and implementation of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution for Ladakh. For those unaware, the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule ensures provisions related to the ‘Administration of Tribal Areas’. It has already been introduced in Mizoram, Assam, Tripura, and Meghalaya.
His second major demand is ‘Lok Sabha seats’ for Leh and Kargil. Apart from that, his third demand is in relation to the protection of the Himalayan region's ‘environmental damage by the industrialists’.
His videos are heavily circulating on social media, with people and netizens joining in with his protest.
The latest video was shared on the social media platform Instagram, on the activist’s official handle. The post was captioned, “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. We need statesmen of integrity, farsightedness & wisdom in this country & not just shortsighted characterless politicians. And I very much hope that @narendramodi ji & @amitshahofficial ji will soon prove that they are statesmen.”
Watch the viral video:
The video is going viral on social media and has left many irked and concerned. Most people spoke against the authorities and demanded urgent action or at least a ‘dialog or debate’, while the rest expressed their concern towards the brilliant scientist. The post was shared an hour ago and has already been liked by 78K people.
Taking to the comment box, supporters shared their take. “It's very hard to see him in this condition,” a user said. “May you succeed in your mission,” read a second comment. “This is not for Ladakh only this is for the whole of India,” added a third user. “It’s the 21st day of the hunger strike and no one showed solidarity, which clearly shows they don’t care about us, the common people,” added a fourth user.
“I don’t understand why the Government hasn't responded with a proposal of dialog. At least, comment and ask for dialog and debate. Not responding to this is apparently being nonempathetic with the people of the nation,” said another.
“It's been 20 days since a scientist sat on fast for climate change and still not proper coverage by any media yet… This is the time to get united but many people won't understand because they don’t want to,” wrote another.
