Wangchuk and other political leaders of Leh had initially welcomed the abrogation of Article 370, calling it a ‘liberation for Ladakh’ from Kashmiri rule. But now, nearly four years down the line, they are ironically seeking demands that resemble those which Article 370 guaranteed. Under Article 370, J&K had had a separate constitution called the ‘Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir’, and under Article 35A, not only were outsiders prohibited from buying property in the state, jobs were reserved for locals who were defined as ‘permanent residents.’ Like in J&K, Ladakh’s land and jobs were once protected under both articles. With the abrogation of Article 370 and the Sixth schedule nowhere in sight, Wangchuk’s fast in the icy cold winter under the open sky at his Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL) has attracted the attention of students, religious leaders, singers, Buddhists, Muslims and the media.