Rinchen Dolma, wife of prominent educationist and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, has announced her intention to lead a "Pashmina March" to Parliament in Delhi. This development comes as Sonam Wangchuk continues his ongoing hunger strike in Leh, advocating for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Ms. Dolma stated her husband's resolve to continue his fast, signaling an expansion of the protest efforts aimed at drawing national attention to the demands of the region.

Mr. Wangchuk commenced his "climate fast" on March 6, 2024, in Leh, enduring harsh weather conditions. His primary demands center on the full implementation of constitutional safeguards for Ladakh's land, culture, and environment. These include the grant of statehood, which would provide greater autonomy and legislative powers to the region, and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, a provision designed to protect tribal populations and their lands from external exploitation, ensuring self-governance through autonomous district and regional councils.

The planned "Pashmina March," spearheaded by Rinchen Dolma, aims to involve thousands of Ladakhis, including pastoral nomads and local residents. The march is conceptualized to travel from Ladakh to Delhi, specifically targeting Parliament, to directly present their grievances and demands to central lawmakers. This initiative seeks to physically demonstrate the widespread public support for Mr. Wangchuk’s cause and the collective aspirations of the Ladakhi people for constitutional protections.

Ladakh was reorganised into a Union Territory in August 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370. This change led to local concerns regarding the potential loss of land, cultural identity, and environmental degradation due to external industrial interests and unchecked development. The movement led by Mr. Wangchuk and supported by various local bodies, including the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), seeks to address these concerns by securing constitutional safeguards.

Key demands of the protest include:

  • Statehood for Ladakh: Granting full statehood to the Union Territory to enable greater self-governance and local representation.
  • Sixth Schedule Inclusion: Extending constitutional protection under the Sixth Schedule, which would safeguard land, resources, and cultural identity for the predominantly tribal population.
  • Separate Lok Sabha Seats: Demanding two separate parliamentary constituencies for Leh and Kargil districts, replacing the current single constituency.
  • Establishment of a Public Service Commission: For local employment opportunities within Ladakh.

Ms. Dolma's declaration to lead the march underscores a strategic shift to intensify pressure on the central government, moving the protest from a localized fast to a broader, more visible national demonstration. The exact dates and detailed route for the "Pashmina March" are expected to be announced, with organizers mobilizing communities across Ladakh to participate in the journey to the nation's capital. The situation remains under close observation as stakeholders await potential responses from the central government regarding these long-standing demands.