At Jantar Mantar, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has launched an indefinite fast
New Delhi: Climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk on Monday began an indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar, saying he was compelled to return to protest after negotiations with the Centre over Ladakh’s long-pending demands failed to make progress and promises made to the people of the Union Territory remained unfulfilled.Wangchuk said he had hoped the movement would be resolved through dialogue and that he would never have to return to the streets. However, with talks making little headway, he said the hunger strike had become necessary, PTI reported.“I was thinking I would not be required to sit on a protest. I am sad I have to sit on a fast again. I am not doing it happily; it is not easy either. I may even die, but even if I die, I will not step back,” Wangchuk told PTI.The activist has been leading the campaign seeking constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, including inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, statehood and greater political representation.Recalling the dialogue process with the Centre, Wangchuk, who was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) during the 2025 Ladakh protests and released in February this year, said he initially believed the meetings held after his release would help restore trust between the government and the people of Ladakh.“February 4, when I was in jail, one meeting was held, which was nearly unsuccessful. May 22, after my release, another meeting was held. I had a lot of hope with that because it was said they released me to create an atmosphere of trust and that the dialogue would continue,” he said.He alleged that while the May 22 meeting had raised expectations, the understandings reached during the discussions were never formally documented.“The May 22 meeting was like that, but they are now shying away from putting the conclusions on paper. This was an opportunity to build trust with the people. Taking one step forward and two steps backwards, people lost faith,” he said.According to Wangchuk, the trust deficit dates back to assurances made years ago regarding Sixth Schedule safeguards.“There was already a trust deficit because after making promises in 2013-14, they went back on their words,” he said, referring to the demand for Sixth Schedule safeguards.Despite his criticism, Wangchuk insisted that he had not lost faith in dialogue.“I still have hope, else I would have also committed suicide, but I am still here. It means I still have hope. We hope their conscience will awaken and they will realise they are doing wrong. They had promised it in writing,” he said.Wangchuk said governments should respond to people’s concerns with empathy and avoid treating dissent as a threat.“If you consider India a democracy… if you don’t, if you think of it as a totalitarian authoritarian government, then you can have a stern approach, but then stop calling yourself a democracy,” he said.Calling for greater accountability, Wangchuk said Parliament should debate the issues raised by the protesters and urged political parties to rise above partisan interests.“There should be accountability. One resignation may not change everything, but we would want this to be raised in the upcoming session. There should be a debate,” he said.Appealing to political parties to support the movement, Wangchuk said they should look beyond politics and think of future generations.“I urge all parties, you are a part of this movement if you stand for the generations to come. Adopt a positive approach. Consider this a blessing that people are still raising their voices. If they were dead, they would not raise their voice. You don’t want a graveyard,” he said.He also urged protesters to remain peaceful.“Don’t have fear, but also don’t have hatred. Raise your message with flowers. All people of India would be with you. When people are with you, no government would be able to ignore your demands,” he said.Drawing on his own experience in custody, Wangchuk also encouraged young protesters not to fear imprisonment.“Don’t be scared of jail, I can tell by my personal experience, it will transform you. Don’t fear anything. You will get justice,” he said.Reiterating that his movement was rooted in environmental conservation and education, Wangchuk said Ladakh’s concerns should not be allowed to remain unresolved because of the region’s ecological and strategic importance.“My two eyes are education and environment. Regarding the environment, I am sitting here to raise the issue of Ladakh and call for it to be resolved.“Don’t let it become a festering wound. It is a border area which is very sensitive. Keeping it hanging is not in favour of the country,” he said.(With PTI inputs)
