Massive protests erupted in Leh on September 24 demanding statehood and inclusion of the region under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The police opened fire on protesters killing four and injuring dozens. In 2019 the BJP-RSS arbitrarily scrapped Article 370, snatching autonomy from Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. This was an attack on federalism and a trampling on the democratic rights of the people. The Sixth Schedule empowers local governance through Autonomous District Councils and protect the fragile environment. The ongoing struggle is thus one for protecting nature and natural resources against corporate plunder. Climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk, who had supported this abrogation in 370, has recently been demanding statehood. The Modi government has arrested him under the National Security Act for alleged ‘Pak links’ and ‘instigating the Leh violence’, typical of its fascist sliencing of dissenters.
Release Sonam Wangchuk immediately! Bring Ladakh Under Sixth Schedule!
