Who is Sonam Wangchuk Father: Who was Sonam Wangyal, who forced the Prime Minister to come to Leh by going on a hunger strike in Ladakh in 1984. Today his sons are also on the same path.
Sonam Wangyal and Sonam Wangchuk: On Saturday morning, Delhi Police picked up 59-year-old activist Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar in Delhi and admitted her to Safdarjung Hospital. Wangchuk was on an indefinite hunger strike for the last 21 days. The police took this step in view of his deteriorating health. Supporters allege that he was taken forcibly, while the police say that this step was taken on the instructions of the High Court and medical advice. After this, a 42 year old story came into discussion. This story is of Sonam Wangchuk’s father Sonam Wangyal. Very few people know that his father had also gone on a hunger strike for the demands of Ladakh. Let us know who Sonam Wangyal was and what happened then…
Who was Sonam Wangyal?
Sonam Wangyal was born in 1923 in a very poor farmer family. He did not have many facilities in his childhood, but there was no lack of hard work and courage either. In the year 1965, he created history by reaching the peak of Mount Everest at the age of just 23. At that time he was among the youngest people to conquer Everest. After this achievement his name became known throughout the country.
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Entered politics and became the voice of Ladakh
After winning Everest, he entered public life. He was a member of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council. Later he also became MLA and minister. But his biggest identity was that he continuously raised his voice for the rights and identity of the people of Ladakh.
Why did you have to fast in 1984?
In the year 1984, Sonam Wangyal started a hunger strike. Their demand was that many tribal communities of Ladakh should get Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. He believed that this would provide better opportunities for education, employment and development to these communities. This movement became so big that even the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had to pay attention to this issue. Although the demand was not fulfilled at that time, the movement drew the attention of the entire country towards Ladakh.
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Big victory after five years
The struggle did not stop even after the fast ended. About five years later, in 1989, the central government granted Scheduled Tribe status to many tribal communities of Jammu and Kashmir under the Constitution. Many communities of Ladakh were also included in this. This was considered a major success of that long movement, in which Sonam Wangyal had an important role.
Now son Sonam Wangchuk chose the same path
Now Sonam Wangchuk also sat on hunger strike for her demands. After his health deteriorated on Saturday, he was taken to the hospital from Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Although the issues of father and son are different, both of them chose fasting as their method to express their views. This is the reason why today people have once again come into discussion about Sonam Wangyal.