Sonam Wangchuk’s March for Ladakh’s Autonomy: Renewed Plea for Sixth Schedule Inclusion

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to include Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to protect its land and cultural identity. He embarked on a march with 75 volunteers to raise awareness and demand dialogue with the Central government. Wangchuk also highlighted industrial and climate-related challenges faced by Ladakh.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to include Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which would grant law-making powers to local residents to preserve their land and cultural identity.

Accompanied by around 75 volunteers, Wangchuk began a foot march from Leh to New Delhi on September 1 to press the Centre to resume dialogue with Ladakh's leadership regarding their demands.

During a virtual press conference, Wangchuk mentioned he has yet to receive a response to his memorandum of demands submitted to the prime minister during Modi's visit to Dras for the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas in July. He stated that Ladakh, an ecologically fragile region facing industrial and climate-related challenges, needs inclusion in the Sixth Schedule to safeguard its people's autonomy.

(With inputs from agencies.)