Sonam Wangchuk: From Ladakh Protests to Bollywood Inspiration

Sonam Wangchuk, the face of the hunger strike demanding statehood for Ladakh, is a key figure in the region’s fight for greater autonomy. He is an engineer, teacher, and environmental activist. His advocacy focuses on the rights of Ladakh’s people, particularly in the wake of the changes brought about by the removal of Article 370 in 2019. This led to the creation of two Union Territories, including Ladakh, and Wangchuk is campaigning for Ladakh to be included under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. This inclusion is designed to provide more autonomy and to protect the cultural and environmental heritage of the region. His earlier hunger strike in 2020 drew significant national attention. Wangchuk’s impact extends beyond his activism; he served as the inspiration for the character Phunsukh Wangdu in the 2009 film *3 Idiots*, bringing his story to a wider audience. The film, a comedy-drama, was written, edited, and directed by Rajkumar Hirani, co-written by Abhijat Joshi, and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra.