Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ends fast after Centre says talks with Ladakh bodies to resume

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his indefinite fast on Monday after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs assured him that talks would be resumed with representatives from Ladakh in December on a set of demands to protect the Union territory under constitutional provisions.

Wangchuk began his fast on October 6 at the Ladakh Bhawan in Delhi after he and other activists were denied permission to hold a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on their demands.

The group have been demanding statehood for Ladakh, its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, job reservation for locals and two Lok Sabha and one Rajya Sabha seats for the region.

The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 (Administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas) of the Constitution guarantees certain protections for land and a nominal autonomy for citizens in designated tribal areas. In Ladakh, more than 97% of the population belongs to the Scheduled Tribes.

ON 16th DAY TODAY OUR FAST ENDED
As Joint Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs brought me the notification for resumption of talks between Ladakhi leaders & Government of India.
I hope the talks will be held in mutual trust & will result in a happy ending for all &
I will not have… pic.twitter.com/4BUrhXJWYc— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) October 21, 2024

On Monday, Prashant Lokhande, joint secretary of Jammu...

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