Ladakh protest: Engineer and innovator Sonam Wangchuk's 5-day-long fast concluded on Monday. He held the protest demanding an extension of the sixth schedule of the Constitution (Special Status) and environmental protection from unchecked industrial and commercial expansion in Ladakh.
A unique 'Carbon Neutral' protest
In a video clip posted on Twitter, he explained how he survived at -20 to -40 degrees Celsius at 18,380 feet high. He exhibited unique equipment that helped him in the last 5 days.
Who is Wangchuk?
Born in Uleytokpo near Alchi of Leh district, 56-year-old Wangchu won the Ramon Magsasay award for his community-driven reform of learning systems in remote northern India, thus improving the life opportunities of Ladakhi youth.
Movie '3 Idiots' connection
The education reformist, who inspired a pivotal character in the Bollywood blockbuster “3 Idiots”, began the hunger strike at the 18,380 feet high Khardung La at -20 to -40 degrees Celsius from January 26 to invite the Centre’s attention to the demands of the people of Ladakh.
Reports of under house arrest, police deny charge
The engineer and innovator on Saturday claimed he has been placed under house arrest at his institute here, a charge denied by police which said he was only prevented from observing a five-day fast at the top of Khardung La.
In a tweet on Saturday, Wangchuk shared a copy of a bond, which among other things sought an undertaking that he will not make any comments, statements, public speech, hold or participate in public assemblies or any activity related to the recent events in Leh district.
He said on social media that he was under house arrest, “actually worse than house arrest”. "I have announced a five-day climate fast to save and safeguard the Himalayas, the glaciers, Ladakh and its people under the sixth schedule of Article 244 of the Indian Constitution. I was initially told that the policemen are deployed for my safety and I did not take it otherwise," he said.
However, police denied his charges.
"He (Wangchuk) was not given permission by the administration to hold a five-day fast at Khardung La pass as the temperatures fall below minus 40 degrees Celsius there,” said Senior Superintendent of Police, Leh, PD Nitya.
"It was high risk for him and his followers to move to the place and accordingly, he was requested to observe the fast at his Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL) campus," she added.
Police, she said, intercepted him when he tried to move towards Khardug La and requested him to return but he showed resistance and was brought back under lawful action to his institute.
"He has signed a bond and police was deployed as a precautionary measure as he did not cooperate with the police," the officer said.
Politics on the protest
Barring the BJP, almost all major political parties, social and religious groups and student organisations have come together in both Leh and Kargil districts in support of Wangchuk’s demands, including statehood and constitutional safeguards after the region was given union territory status in August 2019.
According to Wangchuk, on the first day of the hunger strike, he joined a prayer meeting at the Chokhang Vihara temple on the request of the public but was forcibly taken back by police to HIAL in violation of all rules.
"The system is misusing the police and they have no concern for my safety. They are doing all this for their own safety and want to restrict my voice to the campus only because the UT administration has miserably failed to address the issues and concerns of the people of Ladakh," he alleged.
The SSP denied the use of any force against the prominent public figure and also a desecration of the religious place.
"Three youth who tried to create a law and order situation at NDA stadium (during a function) were detained and no FIR was registered against them.
They were freed," she said.
FIR against foreigners
However, an FIR was registered against some foreigners who joined the hunger strike with Wangchuk in violation of visa norms.
