14 days have passed since the death march of Ladakh’s famous climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. 1500 people were on a one-day hunger strike with him on Monday. Wangchuk is demanding to include Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which will give the local people of the state the right to administer the tribal areas.
Sonam Wangchuk said, “The Sixth Schedule is a testament to India’s generosity when it comes to unity in diversity. This great nation not only tolerates diversity but also encourages it.” He started a 21-day fast unto death on March 6 with the campaign ‘#SAVELADAKH, #SAVEHIMALAYAS’. He had said that this calibration can be extended further if necessary.
Sonam Wangchuk has tried to clear the confusion going on on social media by releasing a video. He said that the purpose of the Sixth Schedule is not only to stop outsiders, but there is a need to protect environmentally sensitive areas or cultures and tribes from the local people as well. He told that after its implementation, they will be saved from the local people also.
He said that as far as industry is concerned, the areas which are not sensitive can be made economic zones, so that industries can be set up and investment can come from the country and the world. The people of Ladakh have no issue in this.
END OF DAY 14 OF #CLIMATEFAST
Many of you have been asking about my health. Well I'm more than alive & … just a bit less than kicking. And my claim is backed by proof now. Today the Physician paid a visit and after test found this:
BP: 120/70
Pulse: 72
Blood oxygen : 94%… pic.twitter.com/vReeqmYtMn— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) March 19, 2024
What is the Sixth Schedule?
Sonam Wangchuk and local people are demanding to include Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. After the abrogation of Article 370, Ladakh has become a Union Territory, and unlike the Legislative Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir, there is no local council here. After inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, the people of Ladakh will be able to form autonomous district and regional councils, in which the people involved will work at the local level. Apart from these, they also demand two seats in the Lok Sabha and representation in the Rajya Sabha at the central level. Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram are already included in the Sixth Schedule, which provides special protection to the tribal community.
What did the central government say?
The Central Government, however, has offered to give special status to Ladakh under Section 371. This is not like Article 370 which was in force in Jammu and Kashmir for decades. Section 371 is also applicable in some north-eastern states of the country. It is not implemented in the entire state, but at the district level and regional level, so that the environment or tribal or cultures there can be protected. Therefore, there cannot be any interference from outsiders in the protected area.
