Sonam Wangchuk Ends Fast After Home Ministry Agrees To Resume Talks On Ladakh's Demands In December

The demands include inclusion in the sixth schedule of the Constitution, statehood, and separate Lok Sabha constituencies for Leh and Kargil districts.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ends his fast on Monday.

Source : PTI

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, along with others, ended his fast on Monday after receiving assurance from the home ministry that discussions on Ladakh's demands would resume on December 3.

According to a report by the news agency PTI, Prashant Lokhande, Join Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh met the activists, who have been sitting on an indefinite fast at the Ladakh Bhawan in Delhi since October 6. He also delivered a letter from the home ministry.

The letter stated that the high-powered committee of the ministry, which had been engaging with representatives from Ladakh, will hold the next meeting on December 3. After this assurance, Wangchuk and his supporters decided to break their fast.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, others break fast after home ministry's assurance that next meeting with Ladakh groups will be held on Dec 3

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 21, 2024

Wangchuk Demands Inclusion Of Ladakh In Sixth Schedule

Wangchuk and his supporters marched from Leh to Delhi, advocating for the inclusion of Ladakh in the sixth schedule of the Constitution. They had been previously detained by Delhi Police on October 13 during a demonstration outside  Ladakh Bhawan.

A senior police officer explained that the group lacked permission to protest at Ladakh Bhawan. "They have filed an application to hold a protest at the Jantar Mantar. Their application is under consideration. They are not allowed to protest at any other site. We have detained a few people, who will be released soon," he said, news agency PTI reported.

The group is demanding a meeting with key leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the governance of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, allowing for autonomous councils with legislative, judicial, executive, and financial powers.

The protesters are also advocating for statehood, a public service commission for Ladakh, and separate Lok Sabha constituencies for Leh and Kargil districts.