Who is Sonam Wangchuk ?
Sonam Wangchuk, is a 57 year old climate activist and an engineer who completed his engineering
degree from the National Institute of Technology, Srinagar. Wangchuk has been born and brought up
in Srinagar and thereby he is a permanent resident of Srinagar, Kashmir, India. Wangchuk, a Ramon
Wangsaysay Award ( Considered as the Nobel Prize of Asia) recipient is widely regarded for his
contributions towards combatting climate crisis and is the founder of the Students Educational and
Cultural Movement of Ladakh, found in the year 1988. Wangchuk has also featured in a movie, titled
Songs of the water spirits.
Why is Sonam Wangchuk suddenly at the forefront of the news?
Sonam Wangchuk, has suddenly become a popular figure because of the massive hunger struck
protests conducted by him in Ladakh, demanding the implementation of the 6th Schedule which
enforces the constitutional safeguarding measures towards Ladakh. He initiated this protest on the
6th of March 2024, which has now escalated to other parts of Kashmir and has been joined by
numerous other residents till now.
What is the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution?
The 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution entails and includes certain provisions which centralises
upon the administration of tribal areas/ tribal belts in certain states such as in Assam, Meghalaya,
Tripura and Mizoram. The 6th Schedule thus provides safeguard against the rights of the tribal
populations of these mentioned states. This Schedule is mentioned under the special provisions
which are guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, as per the Article 244(2) and Article 275(1) of the
Constitution.
With this schedule in place, the tribal populations are imbued with the utmost authority and
absolute autonomy over their land. These tribal populations possess the power in them to make
decisions and laws that adhere to receiving funds from the Central Government which are utilised for
social and infrastructure development.
Why is Sonam Wangchuk soliciting the Climate Fast?
The sole reason why Sonam Wangchuk has initiated the massive hunger strike protests, which is also
came to be termed as the Climate Fast , was initiated due to the fact that a 6 member committee,
including the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, 3 members each from Leh Apex Body, and Kargil
Democratic Alliance with other revered members of the Ministry failed, as per reports stated on the
4th of March 2024 as this meeting could not produce any satisfactory outcomes as per the demands
raised by the representatives hailing from Ladakh. Hence this genesis of the Climate Fast germinated
from the 6th March, to protest against the fulfilment of their demands.
What were the demands raised by the Ladakh representatives?
The representatives from Ladakh had raised 2 specific demands
- Statehood
- The implementation of the 6th Schedule
History of Ladakh’s turmoil
The Ladakh region has been incessantly seeped under huge turmoil and chaos that has been
based since the independence of India. However over the years, with the accession of this
region into the Indian Territory, the Government of India ensured the grant of certain rights
and privileges to this region. However things started to take a wrong turn when in 2019 , the
Government of India decided to repeal Article 370, that revoked the special status which
was granted to Jammu and Kashmir. This repealing cuts off the state into 2 union territories
with only one granted with the Legislative Assembly or the Vidhan Sabha, which is the
Jammu and Kashmir territory. And the Ladakh Union Territory is without any Legislative
Assembly.
This region is of great Geo Economic and Geo Strategic Significance. This region has always
been eyed by our neighbouring countries Pakistan and China, because it harbours the very
spot from which the Indus River and its tributaries originate, the sole source of water for
more than 2 billion individuals; that essentially makes it the waterhead of the entire South
Asia and 2 billion people are dependent upon this for their survival, and lifeline into this
Himalayan river; which is why the preservation of this region is utmost important to prevail
and ensure India’s National Security.
Political Structure of Ladakh
In the year 1979, the region of Leh and Ladakh was divided into 2 districts. Kargil and Leh .in
the 1990s there was a lot of violence in the Kashmir Valley with Millitancy on the rise and in
1989, there were clashes and riots between the Buddhists and the Muslims. And after the
Kargil War there was the creation of the Hill Autonomous Council. In 2003 a similar council
was created for the Kargil district as well. And this region celebrated the repeal of Article 370
and assumes it to be their Independence Day. To this day this is the only union territory
without any Legislative Assembly and no elected Chief Minister. This region is under the
control of Lieutenant Governer ( civil servants) as India follows the Asymmetrical Federal
Model of Governance.
What are their demands?
With the demands of Statehood, the residents of Ladakh want more democracy and
representation, which are best suited for the unique cultural and geographical conditions
that are experienced by this geographically isolated region. And demand an elected chief
minister who is adapted to their unique cultural and social conscience. They also demand
certain limitations in the powers of the Lieutenant Governor. The residents also demand a
local reservation in Government Jobs and ensure the protection of their culture from outside
influences. The residents also demand the establishment of a Public Service Commission
Apart from all these above mentioned demands, the protesters are also raising awareness
about the Himalayan region, climate change and sustainable development that impacts
intensely in sensitive climatic regions. Hence they demand their own model of development
as they are facing less snowfall, water shortage, etc. Which also hampers in the influx of
tourists into the region.
Asymmetrical Federal System / Quasi Federal System
The Supreme Court of India at the topmost point divides the powers between the Centre and
the State. But it comes with different modes of treatment towards the states and Union
territories and grants some states more power than others for which the government model
should adapt in accordance to the specific requirements of any specific region
Tribal governance
For the governance of tribal regions, 3 models were proposed
- Isolation –
- Assimilative Model – both 1&2 were rejected
- Integration – which gives birth to Artcile 244
Article 244(1) creates Schedule 5 which is only applicable to the 10 mainland states and
Article 244(2) creates Schedule 6 which is solely applicable for the 4 states of NorthEast.
So why the demand for the 6th Schedule?
The implementation of the 6th Schedule is essential for the establishment of a body of
representatives of the Ladakh region, so that more and more people are elected in the
autonomous council, which grants them the authority to create laws , judicial decisions and
they can maintain their local ecology. Along with Statehood grant for the establishment of
the Vidhan Sabha. But more than that they need to establish an elected legislature and to
imbibe more power and authority towards the Autonomous Hill Councils.