Ladakh on brink
Ladakh region is facing multiple problems including the standoff with PLA on its eastern side. The clouds of war are yet to be over while the political controversies have started engulfing the entire hilly area including Kargil.
BJP is facing a lot of anger on the ground level and the initial honeymoon with New Delhi for declaring Ladakh as a union territory is over. People of Ladakh want the Union Government to give them special status back on the pattern of article 370 to safeguard not only their unique identity but also land and jobs.
Most of the candidates who have won in the latest LAHDC elections are now waiting for the notification from the Union Home Ministry for a special law to protect the land and jobs.
While the wait is going on Congress, National Conference, PDP and other forces especially social and religious organizations, both in Leh and Kargil, have started consultations that they may provide support to the People’s alliance of Gupkar declaration for their fight against the central laws including all the amendments done post August 5, 2019 abrogation of article 370.
The people of Jammu and Ladakh initially were very happy with the decisions taken by the parliament on August 5, 2019, but the latest amendments to the land laws have made them more hostile towards BJP then people of Kashmir. Ladakh is facing a divide within while the Leh along with many Buddhist organizations want implementation of the sixth schedule as a safeguard, people of Kargil want either a separate state or to be the part of Kashmir with special status.
The promises made by the Union Home Minister cannot be implemented unless the entire Ladakh region does not say in one voice what they want for the future and what kind of special status should be given to allay their fears.
