Sonam Wangchuk: The Ladakh Activist and Inspiration Behind ‘3 Idiots’

Sonam Wangchuk is a prominent figure in the movement advocating for statehood for Ladakh. He recently concluded a hunger strike initiated to bring attention to the region’s demands. An engineer, educator, and environmentalist from Ladakh, Wangchuk is at the forefront of the fight for the rights of the people in Ladakh. His activism stems from the government’s removal of Article 370 in 2019, which had previously granted Jammu and Kashmir special status. This change led to the division of the state into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Wangchuk’s core demand involves bringing Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to secure greater autonomy and safeguard the region’s unique culture and environment. His previous hunger strike in 2020 garnered widespread national attention. Beyond his activism, Wangchuk’s story has also touched hearts through a popular Bollywood film. The satirical comedy-drama film was written, edited, and directed by Rajkumar Hirani, co-written by Abhijat Joshi, and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra.