Sonam Wangchuk expresses disappointment over govt’s lack of response to his 'Climate fast'
Renowned climate activist and educationalist, Sonam Wangchuk, expressed disappointment on Monday over what he perceives as a lack of response from the Union government to his ongoing 'Climate fast', now in its 20th day. The fast aims to highlight the demands of Ladakh, a region in northern India. Wangchuk took to social media to share updates on his health and the public response to his hunger strike.
Feeling tired and experiencing body aches, Wangchuk revealed that he has been surviving solely on water and salt during the fast, even after addressing gatherings to amplify Ladakh's demands. Despite his physical challenges, Wangchuk expressed gratitude towards ordinary citizens for their support, emphasizing his faith in the nation and its leaders.
Acknowledging the support of thousands who have joined him in the hunger strike, Wangchuk remarked that he believes their message will reach top government officials, including the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and the President. He expressed optimism that the government would eventually recognize Ladakh's demands and take appropriate action.
Wangchuk is advocating for Ladakh's inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, along with statehood. Additionally, he is calling for separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts, exclusive land and job rights, and the establishment of a public service commission. Concerns have been raised regarding the vulnerability of Ladakh's ecosystem to industrial exploitation under its current Union Territory status.
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution provides protections for land and nominal autonomy for tribal areas. However, following the abolition of Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status in 2019, Ladakh was granted Union Territory status. Wangchuk has expressed concerns that without statehood, Ladakh could be governed by a bureaucracy under New Delhi's supervision.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
