Extend Sixth Schedule to Ladakh, says Sonam Wangchuk

Naseer Ganai

Srinagar, February 4

Well-known Ladakhi innovator Sonam Wangchuk called upon the Central Government to honor its commitment of extending the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to Ladakh. Addressing a massive gathering in Leh’s Polo Ground, Wangchuk said, “We hope you (government) will fulfill the promises made to us, sending a signal that truth still thrives in our country.”

He described the struggle for the Sixth Schedule as a fight to safeguard Ladakh’s environment and culture. “Even if we risk our lives for this truth, it will be a small sacrifice,” Wangchuk said while recalling the sacrifices of Sukhdev and Bhagat Singh.

“During the 2019 parliamentary polls, the BJP sought votes from Ladakh while promising constitutional safeguard to the region under the Sixth Schedule. In the run up to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (Leh) polls, the BJP came up with the same promise. We thought they will keep their promise, but to no avail,” Wangchuk said.

Calling out certain Ladakhi leaders for undermining the demand for the Sixth Schedule, Wangchuk said the massive rally demonstrated the unified voice of the Ladakhi people. He said the struggle for the Sixth Schedule had evolved into a battle for truth.

Without naming any leader, he said these leaders, whom people of Ladakh had trusted, started conveying to Delhi that the demand for the Sixth Schedule is coming from a small section of people. He said in the past few years the people of Ladakh were astonished to see that instead of accepting their demands, the “capitalists” started eying the valleys and mountains of Ladakh with an aim to exploit their resources.