Kargil district observed a half-day shutdown on Wednesday while hundreds of Muslims rallied in support of the protest by fasting climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, a Buddhist, in Leh for special status and statehood for Ladakh.

People joined the solidarity march in large numbers in response to a call by the Kargil Democratic Alliance, led mainly by Kargil’s Muslims, which is fighting for statehood and special status for Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

The protests in Buddhist-majority Leh are led by the Leh Apex body, helmed mainly by Buddhists.

Wangchuk is on a 21-day fast in Leh. His fast entered the 15th day on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Wangchuk had announced a “border march” by 10,000 Ladakhis to “expose” the extent of Chinese intrusions and takeover of land by Indian corporates in the region.

Waving flags and raising slogans, hundreds marched on the streets of Muslim-majority Kargil on Wednesday to press for their demands and in support of Wangchuk’s call.

The placards read: “Save Ladakh, Restore Democracy” and “Ladakh Wants Statehood and Sixth Schedule”.

The protest took off from Fatima Chowk and concluded at Hussaini Park where prominent leaders addressed a large crowd.

KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai said the ongoing agitation in Ladakh was not restricted to “one community or one district” but concerned all its residents. He said some “vested interests wanted to pitch the people of Ladakh against each other”.

Ladakh’s traditional rivals, Muslims and Buddhists, have joined hands for statehood and special status after taking diametrically opposite stands on the August 5, 2019, decisions that led to the dilution of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 and the bifurcation and demotion of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories.

Buddhists celebrated while Muslims opposed the 2019 developments. The fear of losing land and jobs to outsiders has now prompted them to join ranks for a common cause.

The Union government has held a couple of rounds of talks with Ladakhi representatives but leaders of the region claim that the Centre is unwilling to budge.

Wangchuk wrote in a post on X on Wednesday that he was still fine and surviving on water and salts.

“Along with me, 125 people slept hungry outdoors under clear skies. Temperature: -11°C. Let’s understand that saving Ladakh’s glaciers is not just a concern for people of Ladakh alone (but for all),” he said.

Valley-based CPM leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami said it was imperative for the government to heed the voices in Ladakh. He batted for their special status under the Sixth Schedule but was silent on their demand for statehood.

“We never desired for Ladakh to be separated from the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Yet, it happened abruptly against our wishes. While a faction of society in Leh was demanding Union Territory status for Ladakh and celebrated it later, they now acknowledge the drawbacks and express a preference for constitutional guarantees for their empowerment,” he said.

“The people of Jammu and Kashmir stand in solidarity with Ladakh, advocating for democratic rights and constitutional assurances. We urge the Government of India to recognise that these artificial lines cannot divide us and the arbitrary divisions imposed on August 5, 2019, cannot fracture our unity.”