Iconic educationist and ice stupas creator, Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday announced his plan to sit on 5 days fast in -40 degrees Celsius at the Khardung-la from 26 January supporting the demand for Sixth Schedule for Ladakh and also protection of ecology of the cold desert region.

In an appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ladakhi social activist said he has decided to sit on symbolic fast from the Republic Day at one of the world’s highest 18,000 ft Khardungla Pass in harsh cold weather instead of comfort conditions in Leh.

In a 13-minute video attached with his tweet, Wangchuk urged the Prime Minister to take action saying that all is not well in Ladakh. The title of the video takes reference from a popular Bollywood song from the 3 Idiots, where the protagonist’s character was based on Wangchuk’s life.

He further appealed to Prime Minister and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to initiate talks on the growing demand for the Sixth Schedule for the Union Territory.

He was heard saying; Ladakh, also known as the world’s “third pole”, is facing dire concerns, elaborating in the video clip as he refers to the Sixth Schedule and protests linked to it.

Videos of protests in Leh and Kargil have also been attached with the video. The local residents have been demanding inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule to ensure overall economic development and autonomy.

The issue has also been raised in Parliament. Protection of land and its culture is also being demanded under the Constitution.

He said, “Ladakh has nearly 95 percent of tribal population, while the Constitution seeks 50 per cent of tribal population in an area for applicability of Sixth Schedule. Anticipations were being made that Ladakh would soon be included. Union Minister Arjun Munda had also given assurances,”

Wangchuk said in the clip where he shares “Ladakh ke Mann ki Baat” with the title being inspired from PM Modi’s radio programme “Mann Ki Baat”.

Wangchuk can also be heard talking about the 2020 Ladakh Hill Council polls that were won by the BJP and the scrapping of the Article 370 that provided Constitutional safeguards to the area, which led to the formation of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir as 2 separate union Territories.

 “People of Ladakh are stunned that why the Government that answered its 70-year

old demand for a Union Territory has not been listening to the demand.” He was further heard saying in the clip, as he raised concerns about the likelihood of businesses expanding in the union territory which is set to further increase burden on limited resources, including water.

He said, “mining and such activities could melt glaciers. Moreover, Ladakh is strategically important for military and has played a role  in Kargil and other wars.”