Srinagar, March 27 -- Wangchuk's fast symbolized a desperate plea for attention to Ladakh's plight. The urgency of preserving Ladakh's fragile ecosystem amid India's ongoing tensions with China cannot be overstated. Wangchuk's advocacy extends beyond environmental concerns; it reveals a larger anxiety about the preservation of Ladakh's identity and autonomy.

The jubilation that greeted the bifurcation from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 has given way to disillusionment, as the promises of empowerment and decentralization remain unfulfilled. Wangchuk's journey from endorsing the Union Territory status to advocating for greater constitutional protections mirrors the collective sentiment of Ladakhi society.

Central to Ladakh's identity struggle...