Statehood Demand: Ladakh Activist Sonam Wangchuk Starts Indefinite Hunger Strike

New Delhi: Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk and his supporters launched an indefinite hunger strike at Ladakh Bhawan here on Sunday after being denied a suitable location for their peaceful protest.

Wangchuk and the others, who are feeling “virtually detained” at Ladakh Bhawan, are trying to draw attention to the region’s demands for statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

“We were seeking a place where we could hold our peaceful hunger strike but we weren’t given that place. So we had no option but to begin (a hunger strike) from Ladakh Bhavan where we were virtually detained,” Wangchuk told ANI.

Wangchuk, who earlier halted his hunger strike at Rajghat, said his primary objective of meeting the country’s top leaders — to discuss the grievances of Ladakh people — had not been fulfilled yet, despite being given assurances.

“The assurance that we were given to meet top leadership of the country, we haven’t been given any dates, so we were forced to start our hunger strike again which we broke at Rajghat. Our appeal has always been the same — after walking for 30 to 32 days, we have come here and would like to meet some of the top leaders of our country in the capital to share our grievances with them,” Wangchuk said.

“I am not asking for support from anyone. We welcome those who understand what is happening in India, what is happening with Ladakh, and what our rights are,” Wangchuk clarified.

Earlier this week, Wangchuk and around 150 supporters were detained by Delhi Police at the Delhi-Haryana border due to ‘prohibitory orders’.