Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike Amid Unrest in Ladakh
SRINAGAR: Four protesters lost their lives and 58 others were injured on Wednesday when police and paramilitary forces reportedly opened fire on demonstrators in Leh. The protesters were advocating for Sixth Schedule protections and statehood for Ladakh. This incident marks the first eruption of fatal violence in Ladakh since it became a Union Territory in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir. The identities of the deceased—aged 19, 20, 23, and 46—have not yet been disclosed.
Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent climate activist who had been on a hunger strike for 35 days demanding Sixth Schedule status, called off his fast after 14 days on Wednesday. Wangchuk stated that the anger among youths in Ladakh escalated after the collapse of two hunger strikers who were subsequently hospitalized in critical condition. “That moved the youths of Ladakh, and they came out Wednesday in thousands to express solidarity at Martyrs’ Ground in Leh,” said Wangchuk, noting some individuals have suffered serious injuries in recent protests.
Amidst these developments, approximately 2,000 individuals from the larger protest group began a march, which included actions such as setting fire to a police vehicle, a government office, and a BJP office. Initial responses from police included the use of tear gas and physical force, but live ammunition was reportedly fired as the crowd responded with stones, resulting in injuries to at least 20 security personnel.
Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor, Kavinder Gupta, described the violence as a conspiracy to disrupt peace in the region. “For the past few days, a fast was observed in Ladakh, and we know fasting is part of a democratic system. But in the past two days, people have been provoked by comparisons to Nepal and Bangladesh,” he remarked, criticizing the threats to set fire to political party offices without specifically mentioning Wangchuk’s hunger strike.
Local Member of Parliament Haji Mohmad Haneefa Jan accused security forces of employing “disproportionate force” and condemned the administration for a “complete failure.” Jan asserted, “Ladakhi people are very peaceful. The protesters could have been handled with a lathi charge.”
In response to the unrest, Leh’s district magistrate enforced Section 163 of the BNSS, which prohibits rallies and marches without prior written approval. Additional security reinforcements have now been deployed.
The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution was designed for tribal areas in the Northeast and provides specific protections concerning land, resources, and cultural autonomy through local councils. Since 2019, residents of Ladakh have called for similar protections, expressing concerns over demographic changes and industrial pressures.
In January 2023, the Union Home Ministry constituted a high-powered committee following sustained protests led by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). The last discussions held on May 27 resulted in a domicile policy but yielded little else in terms of substantive solutions. A subsequent meeting was announced for October 6, but delays have only served to exacerbate local frustrations.
Earlier this week, LAB-affiliated groups, including the Apex Youth and Religious Youth, called for a shutdown in support of Wangchuk’s hunger strike. Prior to beginning his hunger strike on September 9, Wangchuk accused the BJP of failing to uphold its 2020 promise to grant Sixth Schedule status in the Ladakh Hill Council manifesto. He emphasized, “The government should understand the pent-up anger among the youth of Ladakh and the suffocated feelings they are experiencing.” Wangchuk acknowledged that the recent bloodshed overshadowed his peaceful campaign initiated in 2020 and attributed the unrest to government inaction.
“They are the same youths who, all these years, remained inside their homes and focused on their studies,” he said. “My message of a peaceful path failed today. I appeal to youth to please stop this nonsense. This only damages our cause.”
