Wangchuk begins fast over Ladakh's statehood

Srinagar: The Apex Body Leh (ABL) organised a peaceful protest in Leh on Wednesday during which climate activist Sonam Wangchuk announced a 35-day fast demanding statehood and Ladakh to be included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

The ABL organised 'Sarva Dharma Prathna Sabha' in Leh in which representatives of all religions participated. They said that an all-faith prayer service was held to give the message that the protest is peaceful, non-violent, and that their demands were within the ambit of the Indian Constitution.

Wangchuk, a Ramon Magsaysay awardee, said the fast will continue for 35 days during which he hoped that the government would respond and restart the result-oriented dialogue process with the representatives of Ladakh. The fast assumes importance as elections for the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, which is led by the BJP, is scheduled for October. Wangchuk said that the BJP, during the 2020 LAHDC elections, promised implementation of Sixth Schedule in their manifesto but they are yet to fulfil the promise.