Why are Phungsu Wangdu of 3-Idiots, Sonam Wangchuk on a long Hunger Strike?

You must have seen the amazing film of those three friends in which Aamir Khan played the brilliant character of the sharp-minded Phunsuk Wangdu, who, at the end of the film, dedicates his life to the poor children on the banks of the “pangong tso lake” in Ladakh. Even now, Phunsuk Wangdu is doing the same.

The character of Phunsuk Wangdu was based on Sonam Wangchuk. And see the amazing thing: Sonam Wangchuk is sitting on a long hunger strike for the people of Ladakh.

Why is Sonam Wangchuk on a long hunger strike for the people of Ladakh?

Everyone in India knows that on August 5, 2019, the Government of India voided Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and declared Ladakh a Union Territory. After this, it was promised that the people of Ladakh would get protection like other states and would be given statehood.

2024 has come, but till now, the government has not given the people of Ladakh what was promised to them. Therefore, suggest the path of peaceful movement to Sonam Wangchuk.

Sonam Wangchuk and the people of Ladakh demand that if Ladakh cannot be given statehood soon, then it should be made a Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly and democracy. It is just like having Delhi and Chandigarh.

DAY 2 OF OUR #CLIMATEFAST IN LADAKH…
Under the open sky in – 15 C°
So that truth prevails in this great nation…#SaveLadakh #SaveGlaciers #SaveHimalayas #6THSCHEDULE pic.twitter.com/x9HtNcvFAd
— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) March 7, 2024

Sonam also points out that in the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, there is a provision for linguistic and cultural protection of sensitive areas. 97% of the population in Ladakh is tribal, yet they are not getting protection. Whereas in the 2019 parliamentary and Ladakh Hill Council elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party had again reiterated the promise of providing protection to Ladakh, but it went back on its promise as soon as it won.

Recently, the people of Ladakh took out a huge rally on 3 February, 2022, but it was not given space in the media. People of Ladakh also fear that after the removal of Article 370, many industrialists are taking land here with the help of the government, due to which this Buddhist land will have to face many challenges in the future.

Due to this, Ladakh may have to suffer the consequences of rapid unplanned urbanisation along with environmental challenges like Uttarakhand and Himachal. But the Indian government is not directly refusing to provide protection to Ladakh. But it is true that the government has not yet been able to implement its promises at the ground level. Let’s see when the people of Ladakh and Phunsuk Wangdu achieve success.