Wangchuk, who along with scores of other people is on a protest in Leh for over six weeks now–demanding constitutional safeguards under sixth schedule and statehood for Ladakh– celebrated the birth anniversary of Bhim Rao Ambedkar at the protest site. He stated that this was the apt opportunity to demand what is promised and enshrined in the constitution of the country.
“We want to remind this government of the promises it made in the last two elections. We hope that they will honour the teachings of Ramji as his true Bhakts and fulfil the promise made to the people of Ladakh,” said Wangchuk.
The award winning engineer informed that the Apex Body Leh, an amalgam of social, religious, business and political organisations in Leh, has decided to start Pashmina March from April 17, for at least ten days and around two dozen people will participate in this march on foot.
“It will be a peaceful march on foot…it will take us five to reach the grazing land that is being given away to the big corporations by the government without the consent from locals and then we will march towards the India-Tibet or India-China border if the government allows,” said Wangchuk.
Earlier, ABL had withdrawn the call for Pashmina March on April 7, in which thousands of people were expected to participate, in the wake of Ladakh administration’s move to deploy forces on all major roads in Leh, imposing section 144 and plans to restrict the mobile internet speed as well. “Earlier administration felt scared because of the proposed march. Now we have decided to go in small numbers and are hopeful we will be allowed to start our peaceful march,” said Wangchuk adding, “They claim that we have not lost an inch of our land. This is a golden opportunity for them to confirm that from the ground through our march when they allow us to go ahead freely.” He also urged people across the country to amplify the voice of the people of Ladakh and make sure that it reaches the central government. “People of Ladakh are angry with Home Minister Amit Shah, who in the last meeting with the representatives from Ladakh in Delhi on March 4, had clearly said that neither sixth schedule or statehood will be given to ladakh even if the Prime Minister himself writes to him about the same,” Wangchuk claimed. He said that people are hopeful that maybe the PM was inclined to fulfil the promise made to the people of Ladakh by the BJP government.
“As a true Ram Bhakht maybe PM was ready to fulfil the promise but it seems the ego of Amit Shahji has stopped the process,” said Wangchuk. He further said that Shah’s recent statement in Assam that not even an inch of the land has been grabbed by China has also hurt the locals. “Are our nomads lying? We are being stopped from going 20 to 30 kms ahead of our grazing lands. Our nomads are losing their land. We are losing our land,” alleged Wangchuk. “Is anti-national the one who handed over land to China or those who are crying and seeking help to stop this land grab by China. You have to decide this,” Wangchuk asked.
