After 16 days of fasting, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and fellow protestors ended their hunger strike on October 21, 2024. This decision followed a written assurance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, promising to resume talks concerning Ladakh’s demands in December. The hunger strike was part of an ongoing protest by Ladakh civil society groups seeking statehood and special status under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

The Joint Secretary in the Home Ministry, Prashant Lokhande met Wangchuk and other activists at Delhi's Ladakh Bhawan and handed over a letter stating that the HPC would see representatives of the Ladakh people on December 3. This was enough to make Wangchuk and his supporters withdraw their strike started on October 6 when they failed to receive any response on their demands for meetings with top government officials.

Wangchuk expressed hope for productive discussions, stating, "We are happy to say that our main appeal has been solved... I hope I do not have to sit on a hunger strike again."

 

Ladakh's four-point agenda

 

The core of Ladakh's demands, led by groups like the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), includes statehood for Ladakh, tribal status under the Sixth Schedule, employment opportunities for locals, and legislative representation in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Cherring Dorjay Lakruk, president of the Ladakh Buddhist Association, reiterated that these four points will remain the focus of upcoming discussions with the government.

Many of the protesters, including Wangchuk and former Army officer Tsering Tanba, also expressed that the question of environmental degradation in Ladakh should be taken up. Tanba has also emphasized how, during his 22 years of service, he witnessed how glaciers melted at a terrifying pace. The hunger strike he undertook was with the aim of bringing up such urgent questions into the world's attention.

Another protester, Gurmet Dorjay, stressed the cultural importance of Ladakh’s unique tribal identity. “About 97% of Ladakh’s population is tribal,” he said. “We’re not asking for the moon. We just want our status recognized so we can preserve our culture.”

Background of the protests

Wangchuk and 20 volunteers had been fasting at Ladakh Bhawan in Delhi, surviving on water and salt. Their initial attempt to protest at Jantar Mantar was blocked by authorities, the agitators demanded an indefinite strike at Ladakh Bhawan. The protesters were pushing for a resumption of talks with the HPC, which had been delayed despite earlier commitments made in 2023. 

The HPC was initially formed to address key issues in Ladakh, including the protection of its culture, land, and employment, as well as the development and empowerment of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill District Councils of Leh and Kargil. With the talks now scheduled for December, Wangchuk and his supporters hope for meaningful progress in these areas.