Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for nearly two weeks in Leh, Ladakh’s capital, where disillusionment and anger are evident among the resident.
Wangchuk, as per NDTV, expressed concerns that Ladakh’s status as a Union Territory might have been a strategy to facilitate the interests of industrial and mining companies, rather than protecting the region’s identity, as promised by the BJP.
“People are asking whether declaring Ladakh a Union Territory was a ploy to sell off our mountains to industrial lobby and mining companies,” he told NDTV.
He highlighted the broken promises regarding Ladakh’s democratic representation and the neglect of assurances made during elections.
According to Wangchuk, the morale of Ladakhi soldiers is suffering due to the absence of democratic institutions and local reservations. Despite initial celebrations when Ladakh was declared a separate Union Territory five years ago, people now feel betrayed and want assurances from the government.
Wangchuk emphasized the need for a multi-party legally binding agreement and plans for nationwide protests, with support from international communities, to raise awareness about their plight.