Wangchuk begins fast at Ladakh Bhawan

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday sat on a fast at the Ladakh Bhawan where he was staying, after the protesters were denied permission to stage the stir for Ladakh's Sixth Schedule status at Jantar Mantar. Wangchuk, in a brief interaction with media before starting the fast, said they were forced to stage the protest at the Ladakh Bhawan after failing to find any venue for their stir.

Around 18 people, including Wangchuk, sat close to the gate of the Ladakh Bhawan, singing the Hindi version of 'We Shall Overcome', and raised slogans such as 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai", "Jai Ladakh " and "Save Ladakh, Save Himalaya".

Sharing a copy of the letter sent by Delhi Police rejecting his request for sitting on a fast at the Jantar Mantar, Wangchuk, in a post on X, said, "Another rejection, another frustration. Finally this morning we got this rejection letter for the officially designated place for protests."

"If Jantar Mantar is not allowed, please tell us which place is allowed. We want to abide by all laws and still express our grievance in a peaceful way. Why is it so difficult to follow the path of Gandhi in his own country? There must be a way."  In the letter, Delhi Police said the request was received at a "very short notice", and no specific time frame was mentioned about the gathering.

As per guidelines, applications for holding any demonstration at the Jantar Mantar must be sent at least 10 days prior to the planned event to be held strictly between 10 am and 5 pm, police said.

Jigmat Paljor, coordinator of the Leh Apex Body representing the protesters, said that they are looking for alternative venues for which discussions are going on with the police and the government.

In a video message shared on X on Saturday night, Wangchuk claimed when they broke their fast at Rajghat, they were assured of an appointment with the top leadership within two days, but they were forced to announce the indefinite fast after being denied the same.

The protesters were also told that Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita which prohibits unauthorised gatherings is permanently enforced in New Delhi, the climate activist added.

The climate activist led the 'Delhi Chalo Padayatra', which began in Leh a month ago. The march was organised by Leh Apex Body, which along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance, has been spearheading an agitation for the last four years seeking statehood for Ladakh, its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, a public service commission for Ladakh, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.

On Saturday, a majority of the protesters returned to Ladakh while the remaining stayed back to join Wangchuk for the fast.