Srinagar: As the Lok Sabha elections draw closer, political parties across the country commenced their public outreach campaign. However, amidst this electoral fervour, leaders in the Ladakh Union Territory are intensifying their protest to advocate for Statehood and Sixth Schedule status for the region.
Recently, the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and The Leh Apex Body (LAB) held a joint meeting to devise new strategies to push forward their demands. According to a senior Ladakhi leader, who attended the meeting, while no definitive decisions were reached during the two-hour session, discussions revolved around amplifying the agitation for Statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Additionally, both bodies are contemplating a potential boycott of the upcoming Parliamentary elections.
The leaders are expected to consult stakeholders and reconvene before making a final decision on their course of action. The lone Lok Sabha seat in the UT of Ladakh is slated for polls in the fifth phase on May 20. Notably, this seat was secured by the BJP in both the 2014 and 2019 elections when Ladakh was part of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Sonam Wangchuk's climate fast has entered its 18th day. On Saturday, Wangchuk stated that 2000 people are fasting alongside him. Expressing concerns over the influence of industrial lobbies on the government, Wangchuk emphasised the need for citizens to voice their concerns. He highlighted the environmental challenges faced by Ladakh and urged the government to honour its commitments to safeguard the region's mountains, glaciers and indigenous cultures under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
"Good morning, world! Today marks the beginning of my 18th day of climate fasting on water and salt. It's been a very clear night, and therefore temperatures have dropped to minus 8 degrees Celsius, causing everything to freeze. Despite these harsh conditions, around 150 people slept outside with me to remind the Indian government of the promises they made to safeguard Ladakh, its mountains, and its indigenous cultures under the sixth schedule of the Indian constitution," he conveyed in his 3:52-minute video message.
