'3 Idiots' inspiration Sonam Wangchuk sits on 5-day hunger strike; know why
Leh, January 29: Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent engineer whose life inspired a character in the Bollywood blockbuster "3 Idiots," has staged a 5-day hunger strike, claiming he was placed under house arrest at his institute in Leh.
Police, however, denied the charge and said he was only prevented from observing a five-day fast at Khardung La top.
The Ladakh-based innovator had announced a five-day hunger strike beginning January 26 at the 18,380-foot-high Khardung La to draw the attention of the BJP-led Centre to the people of Ladakh's demands, which included the extension of the sixth schedule of the Constitution and environmental protection from unchecked industrial and commercial expansion.
Except for the BJP, almost all major political parties, social and religious groups, and student organisations have united in support of the demands, which include statehood and constitutional safeguards, after the region was granted Union Territory status in August 2019 after being carved out of J&K.
- With inputs from agencies
