Ladakh: Three-day hunger strike begins for statehood, Sixth Schedule extension

A three-day hunger strike began in Kargil on Saturday, 9 August, in support of four demands, including statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to the Union Territory of Ladakh.

The hunger strike, sponsored by Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and Lex Apex Body (LAB) at Kargil's Hussani Park, comes amid displeasure among the representatives of the two bodies over the Centre's delay in holding the next round of talks.

Climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk, who will be joining the hunger strike, said, “The people of Ladakh are just asking for what was either promised or what they deserve,” according to The Telegraph.

KDA and LAB have been jointly spearheading the agitation over the past five years and have held several rounds of talks with the high-powered committee (HPC) of the Union home ministry.

"Together, we can build a future where Ladakh governs Ladakh. Three-day hunger strike (in support of) statehood for Ladakh, (its) inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the constitution, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil regions and establishment of a public service commission (PSC)," reads a banner jointly put up by the KDA and LAB at the venue of the hunger strike.

Prominent members of KDA carrying placards, some of which read 'end colonial treatment restore democracy, statehood — Sixth Schedule and strong Ladakh', gathered at the venue and chanted slogans, marking the beginning of their three-day hunger strike.

"The hunger strike is part of our ongoing agitation in support of our four demands. We have observed strikes, fasts, protests and foot marches (from Ladakh to Delhi) over the past four years in support of our demands, some of which have been discussed with the Centre but some are yet to be discussed," said KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai.

He said there has been no concrete discussion on these two basic issues in the past four years. "The last discussion was in May, the HPC chairman and minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai and the home secretary had promised that from next month, our discussion will begin on statehood and Sixth Schedule."

The core committee of the two bodies will discuss and chalk out the next course of action as the entire Ladakh is ready for the agitation which will continue if the government failed to respond, he added.

Another prominent leader of KDA, Sajjad Kargili, alleged that the government had failed to keep its promise on the next round of talks.

"So, once again, we are protesting peacefully and democratically. We hope that this message reaches the government. This colonial treatment should end with the people of Ladakh," he said.