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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Challenge ahead is to meet people's expectations: Devendra Fadnavis
Mumbai (PTI): BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, all set to become Maharashtra Chief Minister for the third time, on Wednesday underlined the challenges before the new government and said the real struggle lies in fulfilling the people's expectations.
Speaking after being elected as leader of the state BJP legislature party ahead of Thursday's swearing-in ceremony, he also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for placing faith in him.
"Our responsibility has increased. We need to work harder. The struggle ahead is about meeting the expectations people have from us. We must work in tandem with our allies to achieve this," he said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party had the people's mandate in 2019 but "it was taken away", he said, apparently referring to the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray severing its ties with the BJP over the chief minister's post and forming government in alliance with the Congress and undivided NCP.
"For the first two and a half years, we faced targeted opposition, but not a single MLA left us. We came to power in 2022, and now, we have achieved a thumping majority in this election," said the 54-year-old politician from Nagpur.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Fadnavis said, "I thank the prime minister for selecting someone like me, who has worked as a party worker, to serve in this role three times. Ek hain to safe hai, aur Modi hain to Mumkin hai (United we are safe, and with Modi, everything is possible)."
The new Mahayuti government of the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party would be sworn in at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai on Thursday following the coalition's landslide victory in the November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections.
