‘Integrity at stake’: Sonam Wangchuk on Ladakh’s fight for Sixth Schedule status

In 2019, the BJP promised to grant the Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh if voted to power in the Lok Sabha polls. The party doubled down on its promise in the local council elections next year. The unfulfilled promise is now one of the core demands of the locals of Ladakh, led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. 

In an interview with Newslaundry, Wangchuk spoke about the police detention, strategic importance of Ladakh, negotiations between him and the centre, the foot march, and demand for statehood. Under the Sixth Schedule, the constitution provides for greater autonomy to tribal areas. The activist said that not fulfilling the promises would be an anti-national act. 

Known for his innovation in education and sustainable living, Wangchuk and over 150 others walked for over 800 km to Delhi to emphasise their demands. On September 30, several of these protesters, including Wangchuk, were detained. Subsequently, they went on a hunger strike, demanding they be allowed to visit Rajghat and present a memorandum to the government.

He said, “Based on poll promises, elections are won. It also teaches a culture to people. When leaders make promises and later wash their hands off, this culture would go into our children…similarly, in businesses, people will not honour agreements. So internationally, India will be treated as a country of untrustworthy people. Everywhere across the world, integrity is the first thing they look at. If we don’t have integrity of keeping our words, we will be doing huge damage to India. This could be an anti-national act to destroy India by spreading distrust.”

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