During Hunger Strike In Ladakh, A Birthday Wish For PM Modi
It was an unusual birthday greeting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ladakh. More than 500 people, currently on a hunger strike, marked his 75th birthday on Tuesday with collective prayers and wishes for his well-being.
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Sonam Wangchuk leads the protest, now in its eighth day.
Srinagar:
An extraordinary birthday greeting was extended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Ladakh. Over 500 hunger strikers commemorated his 75th birthday on Tuesday through collective prayers and well-wishes for his health and prosperity.
Protesters each held a khata - a traditional white ceremonial scarf representing honor and respect - as they offered synchronized prayers for the Prime Minister.
The protest, entering its eighth day, is spearheaded by Sonam Wangchuk, who continues advocating for Ladakh's statehood and inclusion under the Constitution's Sixth Schedule. Mr Wangchuk mentioned that while the demonstrators had limited offerings, they extended their "good wishes and prayers" to PM Modi, expressing hope that he would respond by fulfilling the BJP's commitment to Sixth Schedule protections for Ladakh.
Ladakh has experienced increasing opposition to direct central governance over the past three years. Local residents have consistently demanded statehood and constitutional safeguards to preserve their land, culture, and natural resources.
In August 2019, Ladakh was established as a separate Union Territory following Article 370's abrogation and the division of Jammu and Kashmir. Initially, many Leh residents, including Mr Wangchuk, supported this change. However, within a year, anxieties grew regarding what locals described as a political void under the Lieutenant Governor's administration.
This dissatisfaction triggered widespread demonstrations and hunger strikes. For the first time, political and religious organizations from Buddhist-majority Leh and Muslim-majority Kargil united under a joint platform: the Apex Body of Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance.
The Centre responded by establishing a high-level committee to examine Ladakh's demands. However, multiple rounds of discussions failed to produce results. In March this year, Ladakhi representatives met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.
The talks subsequently broke down. Local leaders reported that the Home Minister had declined their fundamental demands.
"During the meeting, the Home Minister admitted he had made a mistake by creating Ladakh as a separate Union Territory. He also rejected our demand for statehood and the Sixth Schedule," revealed one leader who participated in the meeting to NDTV.