Leh, Jul 13: Educationist and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk’s proposed 35-day hunger strike, initially planned for July 15, 2025, has been postponed following indications that the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) may hold talks with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) around July 20, 2025.
The LAB and KDA had rejected an earlier MHA proposal for a meeting on July 28, citing the date as too late, and urged for an earlier dialogue to address their four-point agenda: statehood for Ladakh, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, job reservations for locals, and separate parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil.
Wangchuk, recently inducted into the LAB and nominated as its representative in the MHA’s High-Powered Committee (HPC), was set to undertake the fast to press these demands.
The postponement aims to facilitate meaningful dialogue, with hopes of persuading Wangchuk to forgo the hunger strike if talks progress constructively.
The decision came after a recent press conference held by members of the LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
Addressing the media, a senior member stated that the resignation of leaders like Thupstan Chhewang and others was discussed and it was collectively agreed that any internal issues will be resolved within the forum, without escalating matters publicly.
During the press interaction, it was revealed that a new proposal from the government was received just a day earlier, suggesting July 20 as a tentative date for fresh talks.
Given that the initially proposed fast was set for July 15 only five days before the potential meeting the decision was taken to defer the agitation and assess whether the proposed talks take place and whether they include key demands such as statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule.
The spokesperson emphasized that there is little left to discuss on the issue of employment, which has been repeatedly raised in earlier rounds of dialogue.
“We should not remain entangled in the same loop. It’s time to move forward to the core issues,” he added.
The final decision regarding the fast will depend on how the central government responds to the invitation and whether the upcoming talks address the fundamental demands of the people of Ladakh.
