Why is Wangchuk protesting in Ladakh?
The movie “3 Idiots” was truly beloved. The philosophical character Phunsuk Wangdu was an inspirational figure. This intellectual and intriguing character was inspired by a real man, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. Recently, Wangchuk has been in the spotlight as he has been protesting in Ladakh for the past two weeks as part of a ‘fast unto death’ protest.
What is the matter?
Wangchuk has been protesting since March 6 along with other locals who together are demanding constitutional protection in Union territory Ladakh. Also, the protest is against industrialisation taking over in Ladakh.
The impacts of repeal of Article 370
After the repeal of Article 370 in August 2019 and the enactment of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act in 2019, the state was bifurcated into two Union Territories: one, Jammu and Kashmir with a legislature, and the other, Ladakh without a legislature. Jammu and Kashmir, which became a Union Territory with a legislature, will elect its representatives, whereas Ladakh, being a Union Territory without a legislature, will be governed by a lieutenant governor who will act as an administrator.
When the acts were passed, it became a huge matter of celebration for the people of the country. However, according to reports, the people residing in Ladakh have faced a lot of difficulties due to the lack of legislation and regional statehood.
What are the demands?
The people are demanding constitutional protection for the region as a Union Territory. They are urging the government to fulfil its promise to include Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and grant statehood to the region. Wangchuk has also demanded separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil.
Sixth Schedule of Constitution
The majority of Ladakh’s population belongs to Scheduled Tribes. Inclusion under this Schedule would enable Ladakh to establish Autonomous District and Regional Councils (ADCs and ARCs) — elected bodies empowered to administer tribal areas. This entails the authority to legislate on matters like forest management, agriculture, village and town administration, inheritance, marriage, divorce, and social customs.
Wangchuk’s point of view
Wangchuk is raising concerns about the Himalayas being exploited due to the establishment of dams and mining. He is strongly standing with the Ladakhi people and wants their demands to be taken seriously.
According to Wangchuk-
“The government has backtracked on its promises and is talking of a much-diluted version of what is already in the Constitution.”
“Promises have not been kept. Ladakh has no democratic representation”
”250 people slept hungry at – 12 °C to remind the Indian Government of their promises to safeguard Ladakh’s environment and tribal indigenous culture. First of all many heartfelt thanks to all who participated in yesterday’s protests in different cities. Updates are still pouring in & we’ll share this evening.
“This Government likes to call India the ‘Mother of Democracy’. But if India denies democratic rights to the people of Ladakh & continues to keep it under bureaucrats controlled from New Delhi then it could only be called a Stepmother of Democracy as far as Ladakh is concerned.”
”Our nomads are losing prime pasture land to huge Indian industrial plants to the south & Chinese encroachment to the north, to show the ground reality we’re planning a Border March of 10,000 Ladakhi shepherds & farmers soon.”
People from different cities are coming out and joining the protest with Wangchuk. The person who has won many awards for being a saviour of the environment is on a hunger strike. We loved him in the movie, so why can’t we support him in real life?
Also read, MAJOR CHANGES IN EDUCATION SYSTEM ANNOUNCED BY CBSE
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