Reminding Leaders of Broken Promises: A Climate Fast in Ladakh | Sonam Wangchuk's Movement

In the serene landscapes of Ladakh, nestled in the Indian Himalayas, a significant movement is underway. Thousands of people have been participating in a climate fast, now on its 46th day. The initiative began with Sonam Wangchuk sitting for a 21-day hunger strike, followed by women for 10 days, youth for another 10 days, and now, monks from Ladakhi monasteries have taken the baton. Their collective goal is to remind the Government of India, particularly the Home Ministry, of the promises made to safeguard the fragile ecosystems and indigenous cultures of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

This promise was a top agenda item in the ruling party's manifesto in the last two elections, which they won based on these assurances. However, after securing their tenure, they backtracked, failing to keep their promise. Now, towards the end of their term, the people of Ladakh are resorting to this fast to remind them of their commitment.

In an interesting turn of events, Wangchuk received an anonymous letter revealing that the bank account details of his institute have been obtained by the Anti-Money Laundering Department. This letter, handed over by a man with no written address on the envelope, was a warning to Wangchuk about potential investigations. The letter was likely sent by someone within the banking or investigating agency, sympathetic to the cause and wanting to warn Wangchuk about the impending scrutiny.

Wangchuk welcomes such investigations, seeing them as an opportunity for transparency and a chance to showcase the workings of his institution. He believes that the staff of these agencies are disclosing such information due to their sympathy and support for the movement.

In another surprising event, an officer from a central investigation agency visited Wangchuk. Expressing his support for Wangchuk's work, he advised Wangchuk to take care of his health and safety due to the fast. He warned Wangchuk about potential threats to his life, suggesting that he always travel with one or two people.

Wangchuk, however, is not afraid of dying. He believes that his death could awaken the nation from its slumber, making citizens realize the state of the country and the need for every citizen to act to save the nation. He fears dying of sickness or inaction in old age more than dying for a cause. He believes that his death could spark a revolution, which he sees as the best thing that could happen.

This blog post aims to highlight the ongoing struggle in Ladakh, the broken promises of the government, and the resilience of its people. It also underscores the importance of transparency, accountability, and the power of collective action. Stay tuned to see how this movement unfolds and be prepared for a potential revolution.