NEW DELHI — Sonam Wangchuk, the Ladakhi engineer-turned-activist whose innovations in sustainable education have earned him global recognition, has entered the 18th day of a hunger strike in New Delhi, escalating pressure on the central government to address long-standing demands for constitutional protections in Ladakh. His protest, now in its third week, coincides with a separate 26-day demonstration by the Campaign for Judicial Probity (CJP) against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, creating a rare convergence of civil society dissent in the capital.
Wangchuk, 59, began his fast on May 22 at Jantar Mantar, the traditional protest site near Parliament, demanding the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution—a provision that grants autonomous administrative powers to tribal regions. His demands also include stricter environmental safeguards for the ecologically fragile Himalayan region, which he warns is facing irreversible damage from unchecked development and climate change. In a video statement released on June 8, Wangchuk framed his protest as a question not of personal endurance, but of governmental accountability: “I have been on this fast for 18 days. The question is not why I am doing this, but why the government refuses to listen.”
Medical teams monitoring Wangchuk’s condition have reported a steady decline in his health, with supporters describing him as weak but determined. Local Ladakhi organizations, including the Ladakh Buddhist Association and the Leh-based Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement, have organized solidarity marches in Leh and Kargil, while a delegation of civil society leaders met with officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on June 3 to urge dialogue. The MHA, however, has not publicly responded to the demands, nor has it acknowledged the delegation’s visit.
Parallel to Wangchuk’s protest, the CJP has maintained a sit-in at Jantar Mantar since May 14, alleging irregularities in the appointment of the chairperson of the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and demanding Pradhan’s resignation. CJP convener Abhijeet Dipke has accused the minister of overseeing a “systematic erosion of academic autonomy,” citing recent curriculum revisions that critics argue reflect a political agenda. Pradhan, who has dismissed the allegations as “baseless,” has not engaged with the protesters, and the Ministry of Education has remained silent on the matter.
—
What Happened: A Timeline of Protests
May 14: The CJP launches its protest at Jantar Mantar, accusing Pradhan of failing to address concerns over NCERT’s leadership and curriculum changes. The group demands an independent inquiry into the appointment of NCERT chairperson Dinesh Prasad Saklani, alleging procedural lapses.
May 22: Sonam Wangchuk begins his hunger strike, demanding Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh and stronger environmental protections. His protest draws immediate support from Ladakhi civil society groups, who argue that the region’s union territory status—granted in 2019 after the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status—has left it politically marginalized.
May 28: A delegation of Ladakhi leaders, including representatives from the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC) of Leh and Kargil, meets with MHA officials in New Delhi. The delegation submits a memorandum reiterating demands for Sixth Schedule protections, but the government does not issue a public response.
June 3: Wangchuk’s health deteriorates, prompting medical teams to intervene. Supporters report that he has lost significant weight and is experiencing fatigue, though he refuses to end his fast without assurances from the government.
June 8: Wangchuk releases a video message, questioning the government’s silence. “Ladakh is on the frontline of climate change. If we do not act now, the consequences will be irreversible,” he warns. The same day, the CJP announces plans to intensify its protest, with Dipke accusing the government of “stonewalling” legitimate concerns.
June 9: Opposition parties, including the Indian National Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), issue statements in support of both protests. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweets, “The government must listen to the voices of Ladakh and our educationists. Ignoring them will only deepen the crisis.” The BJP, however, has not commented on either protest.
—
Why It Matters: The Stakes for Ladakh and India’s Education Policy
Wangchuk’s protest taps into a broader debate over Ladakh’s political future, one that has simmered since the region was carved out of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 and designated a union territory. While the central government hailed the move as a step toward greater integration and development, many Ladakhis argue that it has left them without meaningful representation or control over local resources.
The Sixth Schedule Demand
The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides for autonomous district councils in tribal areas, granting them powers over land, forest, and water resources, as well as the authority to frame laws on local governance. Currently, four states—Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram—have regions under the Sixth Schedule. Ladakhi activists argue that similar protections are essential for preserving the region’s unique cultural and ecological identity, particularly as climate change accelerates glacier melt and threatens traditional livelihoods.
However, the demand is not universally supported within Ladakh. Some political leaders, particularly those aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have opposed Sixth Schedule status, arguing that it could create divisions within the region. Kargil, which has a predominantly Muslim population, has historically been wary of Leh’s dominance in local politics, and some leaders fear that Sixth Schedule protections could exacerbate communal tensions.
Environmental Concerns
Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem is under growing pressure from infrastructure projects, tourism, and climate change. Wangchuk and other activists warn that unchecked development—including the construction of highways, hydropower projects, and military installations—could have catastrophic consequences for the region’s water security and biodiversity. A 2023 report by the Ladakh Ecological Development Group (LEDeG) found that glacier retreat in the region has accelerated by 23% over the past decade, threatening the Indus River basin, which sustains millions downstream.
The CJP’s Education Protest
The CJP’s agitation against Pradhan centers on two key issues: the politicization of education and the erosion of institutional autonomy. The group alleges that the appointment of NCERT chairperson Dinesh Prasad Saklani was made without proper consultation with academic bodies, and that recent curriculum changes—including the removal of certain historical and scientific topics—reflect a broader agenda to align education with the ruling party’s ideological priorities.
Pradhan has denied the allegations, stating that the government is committed to “modernizing” India’s education system. However, critics point to a pattern of centralization under the BJP, including the introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which has faced resistance from state governments and educators over its emphasis on vocational training and its perceived marginalization of regional languages.
—
Background and Context: Ladakh’s Administrative Limbo
Ladakh’s current political status is the result of a controversial decision by the central government in August 2019, when it revoked Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and bifurcating the state into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The move was justified as a way to integrate the region more closely with the rest of India and spur economic development.
However, the decision has left Ladakh in a state of administrative uncertainty. Unlike Jammu and Kashmir, which retained its legislative assembly (albeit with reduced powers), Ladakh was granted no elected legislature, leaving it entirely under the control of the central government. This has fueled resentment among Ladakhis, who argue that they have been reduced to “second-class citizens” without a voice in decisions affecting their land and resources.
The Sixth Schedule Debate
The demand for Sixth Schedule protections gained momentum in 2020, when a delegation of Ladakhi leaders met with then-Home Minister Amit Shah to press for greater autonomy. Shah reportedly assured the delegation that the government would consider the demand, but no concrete steps have been taken since. In 2021, the MHA formed a committee to examine the feasibility of Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh, but its recommendations have not been made public.
Opposition to the demand comes from several quarters. Some BJP leaders in Ladakh argue that Sixth Schedule protections could hinder development by creating bureaucratic hurdles. Others, particularly in Kargil, fear that the move could lead to greater dominance by Leh’s Buddhist majority. The Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), a powerful civil society group, has been a vocal proponent of Sixth Schedule status, while the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) has taken a more cautious approach, calling for a “balanced” solution that addresses the concerns of both districts.
Climate Change and Development Pressures
Ladakh’s environmental challenges have added urgency to the debate. The region, often described as a “cold desert,” is highly vulnerable to climate change. A 2022 study by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) found that Ladakh’s glaciers are receding at an average rate of 0.3% per year, with some glaciers losing up to 1% of their mass annually. This poses a severe threat to the region’s water supply, as glaciers feed the Indus and other major rivers.
At the same time, Ladakh has seen a surge in infrastructure projects, including the construction of the Zojila Tunnel, the expansion of military bases, and the development of renewable energy projects. While these initiatives are touted as drivers of economic growth, activists warn that they could exacerbate environmental degradation. Wangchuk has been a vocal critic of such projects, arguing that they prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability.
—
Competing Claims and Uncertainty
Government Silence vs. Activist Persistence
The central government’s refusal to engage with either protest has become a point of contention. While the MHA and the Ministry of Education have not issued official statements, sources within the government suggest that officials view the protests as politically motivated. “These are fringe groups trying to create unnecessary controversy,” a senior BJP leader told The Indian Express on condition of anonymity. “The government’s focus is on development, not on entertaining demands that could destabilize the region.”
Wangchuk and the CJP, however, reject this characterization. “This is not about politics; it’s about survival,” Wangchuk said in his June 8 video. “Ladakh’s people are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for the same rights that other tribal regions in India enjoy.”
Divergent Views Within Ladakh
The Sixth Schedule demand has exposed divisions within Ladakh. While Leh’s predominantly Buddhist population has largely rallied behind Wangchuk, Kargil’s Muslim-majority leadership has been more circumspect. The KDA has called for a “comprehensive dialogue” on Ladakh’s future, but has stopped short of endorsing Sixth Schedule status. “We need a solution that works for both Leh and Kargil,” KDA leader Asgar Ali Karbalai said in a recent interview. “The Sixth Schedule is not a magic bullet.”
Education Policy: Reform or Politicization?
The CJP’s allegations against Pradhan have also sparked debate. While the group’s claims about NCERT’s appointment process have not been independently verified, they align with broader concerns about the government’s approach to education. The NEP 2020, which Pradhan has championed, has been praised for its emphasis on skill development and digital learning, but critics argue that it undermines the autonomy of state education boards and marginalizes regional languages.
Pradhan has dismissed the CJP’s protests as
Corrections
If you believe this article contains an error, contact Herald Express with the source URL and supporting evidence.
Story synopsis gathered from: Hindustan Times – India News — source.
