Ladakh: Home Ministry convenes meeting on Feb 19 to discuss the demand
In braving adverse weather conditions, thousands of residents of Leh and Kargil districts on Saturday sent out a loud and clear message to the Union government against playing with their sentiments over the issue of granting full statehood for Ladakh, ensuring constitutional safeguards under the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, job reservation for locals, and a parliamentary seat each for Leh and Kargil.
Several political and social organizations participated in the peaceful protest organized in the Buddhist-dominated Leh by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and in the Shia Muslim-dominated Kargil by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
The cold desert region also witnessed a complete shutdown in response to the bandh call given by the Leh Apex Body, an alliance representing Buddhist groups in Leh, and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, which represents Muslim groups in Kargil.
These two bodies have been spearheading this joint campaign since 2022.
“We have put up a united face in support of our four demands and we want to make it clear to the Union government that we are in no mood to climb down from our stated position on these issues”, a resident told a local media person while participating in the peaceful protest.
The residents, including a large number of women, were seen displaying placards demanding statehood for Ladakh.
Ladakh was carved out as a separate UT out of Jammu and Kashmir state in August 2019 after which Ladakhis have been demanding statehood and more constitutional guarantees that they enjoyed under Article 370 that stands scrapped.
On the other hand, all-out efforts were made by the Union Home Ministry to cool down the rising tempers but in vain.
The Union Home Ministry on February 2, 2024, decided to convene a meeting of the High Powered Committee (HPC) headed by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, in New Delhi on February 19 for further deliberations on the issues submitted by Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) jointly to the MHA on January 16.
The civil society members in Ladakh were waiting for a concrete response from the Union government. In the absence of any communication, they went ahead and chalked out a schedule for the fresh campaign.
Leh-based environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk and LAB jointly gave a call for ‘Leh Chalo’ on February 3 to wake up the Union government from its deep slumber.
Top political leaders of Leh and Kargil, Thuptsan Chhewang (former MP), Chering Dorjay Lakrook, Qamar Ali Akhoon, and Haji Asgar Ali Karbalaie were among those who are spearheading this campaign.
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Is it really jenuine one or supported by the Congress party. What are they doing when this region as a part o J& K state without any development? now suddenly , agitating. Our beloved Prime minister would certainly attend to this demand if it is really a fair and reasonble one. But the congress partys days are over. Now this family concern with all looters can not fool any more. I appeal to the patriots in that region to oppose divisive forces there and ensure the region as an integral part of the country. If not tomorrow, once it would be given a state hood, till then wait.