LEH: Environmentalist and education reformist Sonam Wangchuk ended his nine-day Climate Fast in support of ilivesimply movement on Monday, in presence of huge number of supporters who had arrived at the NDS Stadium here from all across Ladakh.
Thupstan Chhewang, a two-time Lok Sabha member from Ladakh, and president of Ladakh Buddhist Association, Rigzin Zora, a former minister in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir along with other respected dignitaries of Ladakh gave a glass of juice to Wangchuk today, breaking his fast, and presented a traditional Ladakhi shawl to him.
Wangchuk had started the fast on June 18, saying that his fast would continue for seven days or till his ‘ilivesimply’ movement gets 7 lakh pledges. However, the fast was extended for two more days and concluded on Monday.
Addressing the mammoth gathering, Wangchuk applauded the union government for meeting the aspirations of the people of Ladakh by granting the status of STs and a full-fledged union territory and expressed his gratitude.
Reiterating the demand of Ladakh’s inclusion into the sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution, Wangchuk said that the government had promised to fulfil this demand of the region, ‘but has not been met yet, even though more than three years have passed.’
“I hope that the centre government listens to the genuine demands of the people of Ladakh and grants sixth schedule and statehood to Ladakh,” he said.
Wangchuk said that he might go to other states of the country and run a campaign to bring transparency in governance.
He said that the patriotism of people of Ladakh is unquestionable and has been proved time and again in the face of adversities.
“They always stood with the country, against all odds, and have made sacrifices to protect the national interest,” he said.
In his address, Thupstan Chhewang called upon Ladakhis to join hands lest Ladakh becomes another Kashmir or Manipur.
