“I am not a hero”—yet Sonam Wangchuk, a source of national pride, has been on a hunger strike for 18 days: A fight to the death to save Ladakh’s future.
Alakesh Maity, muthokotha.in, July 14, : He has transformed the lives of thousands of students by establishing schools. He has enabled farming in the desert by harnessing melting ice. Today, that very man is out on the streets, his body frail. Sonam Wangchuk, the educationist and environmental activist from Ladakh, has been observing an indefinite hunger strike for 18 days, demanding justice for the students.
He has lost over 8 kilograms in weight. Doctors have repeatedly warned him. Yet, his stance remains unchanged: “I am not a hero; I am just an ordinary citizen.”
Why this hunger strike? Ladakh’s three-point demand:—
Sonam Wangchuk’s struggle is not personal; it is a fight for Ladakh’s future generations.
- Demand for the Sixth Schedule: Bringing Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to safeguard rights regarding local land, culture, and employment.
- Job security for locals: Since becoming a Union Territory, there has been an increase in outsiders taking up jobs. He seeks job reservations for the youth of Ladakh.
- Environmental protection: Development that preserves the fragile Himalayan ecosystem; a demand to halt indiscriminate industrialization and mining.
His message is clear: “This is a fight for the rights of future generations.”
Examples of his exemplary work for the nation:—
The man currently on a hunger strike has decades of quiet, dedicated work to his credit.
- SECMOL – A school for “failed” students:—
In 1988, he founded the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL). At the time, 95% of students in government schools were failing. Sonam’s school transformed those very students into engineers and doctors. The character “Phunsukh Wangdu” in the movie 3 Idiots was inspired by him. - Ice Stupa – Artificial glaciers in the desert:—
Ladakh faces an acute water crisis, with winter snow often melting and going to waste. Sonam introduced a technology to create “ice stupas” during winter. In summer, the melting ice provides water for agriculture. Today, these Ice Stupas are sustaining farming in over 20 villages across Ladakh. 3. Solar-Heated Mud House:–
Winter temperatures in Ladakh plummet to -30°C, and there is no electricity. Sonam has built a solar-powered mud house that stays warm without the need for heaters—a sustainable, low-cost technology. - Ladakh Marathon and Himotthan:–
Generating employment for local youth through tourism; creating a model of development that preserves the environment.
Why does the standoff persist after 18 days?:—
Hashtags like #SonamWangchuk, #SaveLadakh, and #StandWithSonam are trending on social media. People from across the country and abroad are extending their support.
Yet, the question remains: why is one man forced to go without food for 18 days? Why can’t a solution be reached through dialogue with the government? As Sonam himself stated, “We are not against the government. We simply want to secure the future of our children.”
The very man who has spent his life spreading the “light of education” along the nation’s borders is now compelled to undertake a hunger strike, disregarding the toll on his physical health. If a source of national pride is forced to fast in protest, it is truly a matter of shame for us all.
For now, all eyes—from Ladakh to Delhi—are fixed on Sonam Wangchuk’s health and the government’s next move.
