Leh, March 30,: Engineer-activist Sonam Wangchuk has said the next round of ongoing talks with the government will be crucial in determining whether Ladakh sees a “new dawn,” signaling cautious optimism amid continuing dialogue over the region’s demands.
The remarks come at a time when discussions between Ladakh representatives and the Centre are already underway, with key issues including constitutional safeguards and governance still unresolved.
“We await the next round of talks to see if Ladakh sees a new dawn,” Wangchuk said in a post on social media platform X, placing emphasis on the outcome of the upcoming phase of negotiations rather than calling for fresh engagement.
Wangchuk, who was recently released after months of detention linked to his campaign, indicated that the process of dialogue must be allowed to continue constructively.
He described the past six months as an “unjust ordeal” but said anger and bitterness would not serve the larger cause, particularly when the government’s release order referred to building “mutual trust for constructive meaningful dialogue.”
“It is best to see this as an acceptance of mistakes and an intention to correct them,” he said, adding that he would avoid derailing what he termed a “meaningful dialogue.”
Highlighting the objective of his campaign, Wangchuk said his struggle was aimed at ensuring that commitments made to Ladakh are fulfilled.
“My struggle was not for me, it was to make the government fulfil its pledge to Ladakh to safeguard it under the Sixth Schedule and to restore democracy,” he said.
The next round of talks is expected to address long-standing demands, including inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which activists argue is essential for protecting land, jobs and cultural identity in the ecologically sensitive region.
Supporters and civil society groups in Ladakh have consistently raised concerns over environmental vulnerability and political representation since the region was carved out as a Union Territory in 2019.
Wangchuk also appealed for continued public support, suggesting that sustained engagement will be important as discussions progress. [KNT]
