Bashir Ahmed
With the Central Government split the erstwhile State of Jammu Kashmir after revoking the special status of Article 370 and 35A, the year 2019 brought a lot of unexpected and unprepared surprise for the Ladakh region.
From the first day of the decision, the twin districts Leh and Kargil are contradicting with one another.
With the passing of each day, this decision becomes a more complex issue within Ladakh. The people of Leh district have started agitating for the constitutional safeguard of the region under Sixth Schedule to protect the fragile and sensitive ecosystem and to shield the natural resources, land, and job from the expected outsiders.
Whereas in Kargil districts people become a mute spectator on the issue and not showing any support and oppose the Leh district on this very issue.
The LAHDC Leh election was fought by all parties on a single agenda of promise for ‘Sixth Schedule’ and all the abode of the region are showing more concern towards Sixth Schedule than any other subjects.
In sharp contrast, Kargil district is in silent mode on this sensitive issue and in recent times some voices are echoing that Kargil opposes any type of bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu Kashmir.
This muttering sound becomes visible and heard by the entire region when the Gupkar Declaration committee visits Kargil and its Drass region and few enior political leaders from Kargil extended their support to them.
This decision was not only shocking but annoying also as the majority of citizens in Ladakh had not even heard about the Gupkar Declaration a week before. However, the agendas of Gupkar Declaration are almost similar to the stand that Kargil has articulated in the last one year.
Probably, on the basis of its similarity, the leaders in Kargil extended their support to the Gupkar declaration. But, surprisingly, during the formation of Gupkar Declaration, no Ladakhi leaders were invited nor anyone currently is an active member of this Alliance.
At this point in time, the two districts of Ladakh seem to contradict each other over the issue of the Sixth Schedule and the Gupkar Declaration. This is a very sensitive and crucial time for the whole Ladakh to become united for the fight for their right, by keeping their egos and ideological contraction aside.
The political and religious leaders need to play their role very actively and consciously and need to draw feedbacks and suggestions from the public on a mass basis before going for any decision.
The ailment is with our leaders as they are lacking to connect with the public at grassroots, and taking all the decisions superficially.
Our leaders are trying to juggle two balls in a single hand at the same time, but there is no doubt that after some time one ball has to fall out and only one has to remain in your hand. We are going through a challenging phase of our modern history, and need to cross this bridge of ambiguity very consciously and cautiously.
If Ladakhis fail to make a productive decision collectively, it will not take time to collapse our identity and to become slaves within our homeland. Our single minor mistake of today will lead to inviting for a great disaster tomorrow.
So either we have to stand with Sixth Schedule or with Gupkar Declartion, our stand must be bold, clear, pragmatic to save our region, our future generation, instead of taking such sensitive issue for political vendetta.Our student’s communities need to take huge responsibility to bring all the stakeholders on a single platform with a common minimum programme between the sister districts.
If we fail today to be a ‘Ladakhi’ our ego of ‘Kargilpa’ and ‘Lehpa’ will lead us in a distraction, which repair will not be possible for anyone in the future, and we have no option remaining then laments on our deed.
Bashir Ahmad – The author is a Research Scholar at the University of Delhi, he hails from ladakh