Sonam Wangchuk stays on hunger strike amid calls from Kejriwal, Akhilesh to end fast- ‘Centre must initiate dialogue’

Sonam Wangchuk has reached the 17th day of his indefinite fast as of October 2024, while a broader protest at Jantar Mantar by the Climate Justice Project has marked 25 days. Opposition leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Akhilesh Yadav, have urged the 59-year-old activist to conclude his hunger strike and focus on the ongoing movement through alternative means.

A health bulletin released by protest organizers indicates that Wangchuk has lost approximately 8.5 kg since the commencement of his fast. His blood pressure was recently recorded at 109/70 mm Hg, raising concerns among supporters about his physical condition as he remains outdoors in the capital.

The hunger strike is part of a larger campaign seeking the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution and the granting of statehood to the region. The activists have stated that the demonstration will persist until the Union government establishes a formal channel for negotiation regarding their four-point agenda. (Source: News Reports)