Since its establishment as a Union Territory, Ladakh has been navigating a complex landscape of evolving demands and sentiments among its leaders and residents. The initial declaration of Ladakh as a separate entity from Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019, and its formal establishment as a Union Territory on October 31, 2019, elicited diverse reactions from the two districts of Leh and Kargil.
In Leh, the declaration was met with jubilation, seen as a liberation from what was perceived as Kashmir-centric rule. This sentiment was particularly strong among the people of Leh, who had long felt marginalized within the broader framework of Jammu and Kashmir’s governance structure. The newfound status was seen as an opportunity for greater autonomy and development tailored to the specific needs and aspirations of Ladakh.
Conversely, in Kargil, there was significant discontent and protests against the decision. Many residents of Kargil felt that the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir, including the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories, did not align with their aspirations. They feared that their distinct cultural and historical identity would be diluted and that they would be further marginalized in the new administrative setup.
New Realities Shaped New Concerns
As time progressed, both Leh and Kargil began to understand their concerns amidst the new realities and articulate their demands for the future of Ladakh more clearly.
There is growing dissatisfaction with the current governance structure in Ladakh, which is overly bureaucratic and centralized. Decision-making powers are concentrated in the hands of the Lieutenant Governor and the Ministry of Home Affairs, diminishing the role of local governance institutions like the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils.
There are many instances where the decisions were taken by the Union Territory administration under the Lieutenant Governor without even consulting the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, rendering both the autonomous councils redundant.
The lack of consultation and participation in decision-making processes under the new arrangement, post-2019, has led to a sense of alienation and disenfranchisement among the Ladakhi people. This sentiment is compounded by concerns about the erosion of Ladakhi identity, culture, and land, as well as the absence of democratic representation and job opportunities for the educated youth.
Lack of Job Opportunities
Ladakhi youth could earlier apply for government gazetted posts through the recruitment process conducted by the J&K Public Service Commission. Ladakh’s share in recruitments was gradually increasing, corresponding to the prioritization of education in the Ladakhi society. In recent decades the number of people investing in education and sending their wards to distant schools and universities across India for higher education increased, making it possible for Ladakhi youth to compete with their counterparts from other regions in Jammu and Kashmir.
Ladakhi candidates were selected as Assistant Professors and Lecturers, and some even served in the Colleges of Srinagar and Jammu. The selections in the prestigious Kashmir Administrative Service also witnessed a spike from 2008 to 2019. However, on August 5, 2019, public employment came to a standstill, leaving the uneducated youth high and dry.
Common Cause for Kargil and Leh
To address these and several other concerns, the leaders from both Leh and Kargil came together to form bodies such as the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), representing a diverse array of religious, social, and political organizations. These groups advocated for various measures to address the common concerns and aspirations of the Ladakhi people.
One of the central demands put forward by these bodies is the grant of statehood for Ladakh. Statehood would provide Ladakh with greater legislative and administrative powers, enabling it to chart its course of development more effectively. Ladakhis are also demanding two seats, as opposed to one, in the Indian parliament, to address the issue of representation. Additionally, there have been calls for Ladakh to be included under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which provides special provisions for the administration of tribal areas.
Job reservations and the establishment of a Public Service Commission for Ladakh have also been key demands. The Ladakhi population has expressed concerns about the lack of adequate representation in public employment opportunities, particularly following the separation from Jammu and Kashmir. They argue that without proper mechanisms in place to ensure their participation in governance and administration, their voices will continue to be marginalized.
In recent developments, discussions between Ladakhi leaders and officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs have resulted in tentative agreements on certain issues, such as job reservations and the extension of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission to Ladakh. However, the implementation of these agreements has been delayed, further exacerbating feelings of deprivation and insecurity among the Ladakhi people.
In the meeting between the LAB and KDA leaders with the high-level committee set up by the Indian Home Ministry, it was principally agreed that Ladakhi Scheduled Tribes would be given 80% reservation in gazetted jobs as well as to extend the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission to the region. However, both these promises have not been notified, leading to a sense of deprivation and loss.
Address Sense of Alienation
The sense of alienation and loss is deepening by the day. Leaders in Leh who had struggled for separation from Jammu and Kashmir and a Union Territory status now feel that Ladakh was better off under the previous arrangement.
Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is presently on hunger strike to draw the government’s attention to these issues, has aptly likened Ladakh’s current status to that of a colony devoid of democracy. He said, “We have no democracy, no voting rights to elect their representatives to an Assembly. It is like a colony in the olden times”.
Overall, there is a palpable sense of betrayal and disillusionment among the people of Ladakh. They feel that their aspirations have been overlooked and their voices disregarded by the central government.
The growing discontent underscores the urgent need for the Government of India to engage meaningfully with the concerns of the Ladakhi people and take concrete steps to address them. Failure to do so risks deepening the rift between Ladakh and the rest of the country and undermining the stability and development of the region.
*The Author is a member Kargil Democratic Alliance and the High-Powered Committee
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