New Delhi – The Union Health Ministry has issued a directive placing several hospitals in Delhi on high alert, preparing for potential medical emergencies as environmentalist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk's "Climate Fast" in Leh, Ladakh, enters its third week. Wangchuk's ongoing hunger strike is part of a broader protest advocating for constitutional safeguards for Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution and enhanced climate protection measures for the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region.

The directive, communicated by central health authorities, signals increasing concern over Wangchuk's health status after more than two weeks of continuous fasting. Hospitals, reportedly including the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi and Safdarjung Hospital, have been instructed to ensure preparedness for any eventualities, underscoring the gravity with which the central government is viewing the prolonged protest.

Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent figure recognized for his contributions to education and sustainable development, commenced his indefinite fast on March 6, 2024, in Leh. His core demands center on the extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh, which would provide autonomy for tribal populations and protect their land, resources, and cultural identity. Additional key demands include statehood for Ladakh, the creation of separate parliamentary constituencies for Leh and Kargil, and job reservations for local residents. These demands gained renewed prominence following the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories in August 2019, which left Ladakh without its own legislative assembly.

The "Climate Fast" has garnered substantial public engagement, with hundreds, and at times thousands, joining Wangchuk in solidarity fasts across Leh. Community leaders, environmental activists, and local residents have consistently voiced concerns regarding the potential impact of industrial expansion and unchecked development on Ladakh’s unique ecology and indigenous way of life, particularly under its current Union Territory status without the legislative protections offered by statehood or the Sixth Schedule.

  • Key Demands of the Ladakh Protest:
    • Inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution to protect tribal rights and land.
    • Granting of full statehood to Ladakh for greater administrative and legislative autonomy.
    • Creation of separate parliamentary constituencies for Leh and Kargil districts to ensure adequate representation.
    • Reservation of jobs exclusively for the permanent residents of Ladakh.
    • Implementation of stringent climate protection policies to safeguard the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.

Wangchuk has regularly updated the public on his health status through social media platforms, reporting significant weight loss and declining vital signs. Despite his weakening condition, he has reaffirmed his resolve, emphasizing the critical importance of addressing Ladakh's demands to secure its environmental and cultural future. The activist has highlighted perceived inconsistencies between promises made by political leaders regarding Ladakh's protection and the current legislative realities.

The central government has engaged in several rounds of dialogue with representatives from Ladakh concerning their demands. However, these discussions have not yet resulted in a definitive agreement, leading to the continuation and, in some aspects, intensification of the protest. The current health alert issued to Delhi hospitals indicates the central government's acknowledgment of the potential critical health implications of Wangchuk's extended fast and its broader impact on public sentiment in the region.

As Sonam Wangchuk's fast extends into its third week, national attention remains focused on Leh and the evolving situation. The ongoing preparedness in Delhi hospitals underscores the potential for a critical health development, while the future course of the protest hinges on further meaningful engagement between the protesting groups and the Union government, aiming for a resolution to the constitutional and environmental concerns raised by the people of Ladakh.