WILL RESUME FAST IF NOT GIVEN TIME: WANGCHUK

Sonam Wangchuk demands autonomy for Ladakh, and will resume fasting if top leaders don't meet him.

- SAURABH SHARMA

Climate activist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk, who along with nearly 150 supporters, was detained by Delhi Police at the Singhu border, as they together, attempted to march to Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on October 2, was finally released on Friday. Talking exclusively to The Sunday Guardian, the education reformer said that he would resume the fast if the top leaders, including either the president, prime minister or the home minister do not meet him.

He further said that the government has been failing to keep up to its promises, and asked for the resumption of talks with the local bodies in Ladakh, safeguards under sixth schedule, creation of Public Service Commission for Ladakh and the return of statehood.

Excerpts from the interviewQ. What has brought you here to New Delhi?

A. To bring the voices of people of Ladakh to Delhi.

As an environmentalist also, I want to bring the voices of birds, snow leopards, mountains, trees, glaciers to the capital of India that are crying for some safeguards against the rampant development, modernisation and industrialisation.

Q. You recently said that before coming to Delhi, you informed the higher authorities two weeks back regarding your visit and purpose. But despite this, government has been reluctant to give you time. Why is that?