Sonam Wangchuk: Sonam Wangchuk has become the face of the hunger strike demanding statehood for Ladakh. After the protests got violent, he called off his fast. Sonam Wangchuk is an engineer, teacher, and environmental activist from Ladakh who is leading the movement for the rights of Ladakh’s people. This struggle began after the Government of India removed Article 370 in 2019, which had given Jammu and Kashmir special status. Following this change, the state was divided into two Union Territories — Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. According to Wangchuk, Ladakh should fall under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to grant the region more autonomy and protect its culture and environment. His campaign also involved a hunger strike through 2020 that generated nationwide attention. Apart from his activism, he has also touched many hearts through a Bollywood film. It is a satirical comedy-drama film written, edited and directed by Rajkumar Hirani, co-written by Abhijat Joshi and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra.
Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi in the title roles, while Kareena Kapoor, Boman Irani, Mona Singh and Omi Vaidya play supporting roles.
Who is Sonam Wangchuk? | Why is he Famous?
Sonam Wangchuk was born in 1966 in the small village of Uleytokpo. As a child, he did not attend formal school but learned many things from nature and from his mother. From these teachings, he understood that education should serve the needs of the community. At the age of nine, he left his village and moved to Srinagar for schooling, stepping into a world that was completely new to him. He is also the Director of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL). He received the Magsaysay Award in 2018.
Is 3 Idiots inspired by Sonam Wangchuk?
Sonam Wangchuk inspired the character Phunsukh Wangdu in the 2009 film 3 Idiots, played by Aamir Khan. He is an engineer from Ladakh who started an innovative school called the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL). The SECMOL campus runs entirely on solar energy and does not use fossil fuels for cooking, lighting, or heating.
Ladakh Protests
Four people died and at least 45 others were injured, including 22 police officers, as protests demanding statehood for Ladakh turned violent on Wednesday. The unrest involved arson and street clashes, during which climate activist Sonam Wangchuk called off his two-week hunger strike. The BJP office and several vehicles were vandalised and set on fire, with flames and smoke visible from afar. Police used firing and teargas to bring the situation under control. Officials also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, banning gatherings of five or more people. Additionally, Congress leader and councillor Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag was booked for allegedly making a provocative speech at the hunger strike venue on September 23.
