The education reformist Sonam Wangchuk marched a hunger strike in Leh since March 6, advocating for statehood and constitutional protections under the sixth schedule for Ladakh, now a Union Territory.
Sonam Wangchuk's 'fast unto death' strikes the 17th day. It is 'World Water Day', and Wangchuk, in his latest video, mentioned how Himalayan glaciers are melting fast, and only humans can immediately solve it.
With the current water scarcity in Bangalore, the back-to-back river swells in Uttarakhand show how requisite it is to glance at Leh's catastrophe, which now beholds a 'deadlock.'
In his latest video, on the 16th day of his strike, Wangchuk delivers his 'aakhri' appeal to the government as his physical health deteriorates.
The education reformist Sonam Wangchuk marched a hunger strike in Leh since March 6, advocating for statehood and constitutional protections under the sixth schedule for Ladakh, now a Union Territory. Wangchuk also announced plans for a border march to shed light on local realities. His protest began following stalled discussions between Leh's Apex body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, which jointly support four key demands, and the Central government.
So, how revolutionary is this?
Unambiguously, it is how one could hail to snug and protect whatever we have left on the planet. In his recent tweet, Sonam Wangchuk stated, "Our nomads are losing prime pasture land to huge Indian industrial plants to the south and Chinese encroachment to the north. To show the ground reality, we're planning a Border March of 10,000 Ladakhi shepherds and farmers soon."
Who is Sonam Wangchuk?
Widely known for honing young minds with his upheld passion and love for the environment, Sonam Wangchuk is infamous for inspiring the character "Phunsuk Wangroo" in 3 Idiots.
That alone says what keeps him so invincibly relevant among young minds.
Getting down to the basics: Why is Ladakh important?
Ladakh, renowned as "the Land of Passes," boasts the largest expanse among the regions of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, spanning an impressive 95,876 square kilometres. This territory, now a union territory under Indian administration, stands out for its rugged terrain and distinctive geographic position. It shares borders with China's Tibet Autonomous Region to the east, Himachal Pradesh to the south, and the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir to the west. Additionally, it borders the Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan region and extends into the southwest corner of Xinjiang province in China via the Karakoram Pass in the far north.
The mighty Indus River and its tributaries, including the Shyok-Nubra, Chang Chenmo, Hanle, Zanskar, and Suru-dras rivers, shape Ladakh's landscape. Glacio-fluvial processes, aided by freeze-thaw weathering, have played a pivotal role in shaping its high-altitude topography.
Ladakh's extreme climate is characterized by arid conditions and significant temperature swings. Winter temperatures plummet to as low as -40°C, while summer temperatures soar to around +35°C.
Precipitation is scant, primarily in snowfall, with an average annual accumulation of 10 cm to 30 cm. The region's lofty altitude and low humidity contribute to its exceptionally high radiation levels.
Vegetation in Ladakh is sparse, predominantly limited to valley floors and irrigated areas. Factors such as temperature fluctuations and the coarse, sandy soil's poor water retention capacity impede extensive vegetation growth.
Historically, Ladakh enjoyed independence until the 19th century, when it succumbed to the control of Hindu Dogras from Jammu, subsequently transitioning to Sikh and British rule. The region became a hotbed of contention between India and Pakistan, with China asserting its presence by annexing portions of eastern Ladakh in the 1960s.
Despite its formidable challenges, Ladakh assumes consequential strategic primacy due to its abundant natural resources, including water from the Indus watershed, copious solar radiation, and promising geothermal potential. Its role as a conduit linking Central Asia, South Asia, China, and the Middle East underscores its pivotal position in fostering regional connectivity and trade.
Given Sonam Wangchuk's revolutionary strike, how will Ladakh youth modulate their future?
Before heading towards the categoric impact on the youth and their well-being in terms of Jobs and education, here I summarise Sonam Wangchuk's demands:
Demands of Sonam Wangchuk:
- Statehood for Ladakh.
- Implementation of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in the region, guaranteeing land protection and nominal autonomy for tribal areas.
- Separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.
- Establishment of a recruitment process and a separate Public Service Commission for Ladakh.
- Addressing concerns about industrial exploitation due to Ladakh's union territory status, which threatens the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
Statehood and implementing the Sixth Schedule in Ladakh are big deals because they give local folks more say in what happens in their own backyard. Right now, being just a Union Territory doesn't give Ladakh enough control over its own affairs. But with statehood and the Sixth Schedule, Ladakh could call more of the shots, making decisions that fit its unique needs better.
When locals have more control, they can focus on what matters, like education and jobs.
Imagine Ladakh having its own schools and colleges tailored to what young people there need. Plus, with more power, Ladakh can ensure its education system sets students up for success in local industries like tourism, renewable energy, and farming.
Separate seats in the national parliament for Leh and Kargil would ensure that the issues that matter to those areas are heard loud and clear. This could lead to more support and money being invested in education and creating jobs in these places.
Making it easier for local youth to get government jobs is also a big deal. Right now, getting a government job can be tough because Ladakh doesn't have its own recruitment system. But if they set up a fair process just for Ladakh and have a Public Service Commission dedicated to it, more local youth could land those jobs.
Let's not forget about protecting Ladakh's environment. It's a beautiful place, but big industries could disarray that. By focusing on keeping Ladakh clean and green, they can attract more tourists and create jobs in eco-friendly industries like tourism, conservation, and sustainable farming. That's good news for young people who want to make sure their home stays beautiful for generations to come.
Now is the moment for the youth of our nation to unite with him in solidarity, rallying to protect our cherished homeland, our sacred soil. It's about safeguarding the place we call home, the land that holds our roots.