Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike, Ladakh Women’s Groups Take Up the Mantle

Ladakh: After 21 days surviving on only salt and water, noted climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike demanding  statehood for Ladakh and increased protections for the Himalayan ecology. However, Wangchuk emphasizes the fight continues.

“I will continue to fight for constitutional safeguards for Ladakh and people’s political rights,” Wangchuk declared as he broke his fast. Thousands across Ladakh gathered in support, while women’s groups announced their own hunger strike to carry forward the demands. Wangchuk, whose story inspired the character of Phunsukh Wangdu in the film “3 Idiots,” began his fast on March 6th, vowing to continue for 21 days with the possibility of extending “till death.”

Earlier on Tuesday, he urged the Indian government to “show character” and address Ladakhi concerns. In a video posted online, Wangchuk highlighted the harsh conditions, pointing to a frozen glass of water and mentioning 350 people joining him despite sub-zero temperatures reaching -10 degrees Celsius.

“We aim to remind and awaken Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to safeguard Ladakh’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem and the unique indigenous tribal cultures that thrive here,” Wangchuk stated in the video. He added, “We don’t want to see PM Modi and Amit Shah ji as mere politicians. We’d rather consider them statesmen, but for that, they need to demonstrate character and foresight.”

Ladakh, encompassing the Leh and Kargil districts, became a separate Union Territory after the abrogation of Article 370, which granted  special status to Jammu and Kashmir, in August 2019.