Environmental activists Sonam Wangchuk and Leh Apex Body announced on Wednesday (September 10, 2025) that they are starting a 35 -day hunger strike in Leh with their demands to include Ladakh in the sixth schedule of the Constitution and give state status.

At a press conference after an all-religion prayer meeting, climate activist, educationist and Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Sonam Wangchuk said that he has decided to start another fast from Wednesday (September 10, 2025) as the Union Home Ministry has not called any meeting for the last two months.

Government did not call any further meeting- Wangchuk

Wangchuk said, “The Central Government is not paying any attention to the demand for state status and protection under the sixth schedule of the Constitution to Ladakh, so he is being forced to intensify its performance.” He said, ‘The conversation with the central government stopped about two months ago. As soon as the conversation was about to reach this turn, where the discussion on the main demands started, the government did not call any further meeting.

Promised to give sixth schedule status- Wangchuk

Wangchuk said, “The Hill Council elections in Leh are going to be held soon and they reminded the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Center that he had promised to give Ladakh a sixth schedule status to Ladakh in the last council election.” He said, ‘Promise should be fulfilled before the upcoming election.’

Demonstration on Gandhi Jayanti will be historic- Wangchuk

Wangchuk said, ‘A fast will be done for 35 days and Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) will be a historic day in his performance. He said, ‘Leh Apex Body organized a all-religion prayer meeting to give the message that our opposition is peaceful, non-violent and our demands are under the purview of the Indian Constitution.’

Also read: ‘Fighting in neighbors does not mean provocation for suicide’, Supreme Court said