Quite disappointing
SC verdict on Article 370 abrogation: Leh, Kargil divided over verdict, united over Ladakh’s statehood demand
The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Centre’s decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution evoked contrasting reactions in Leh and Kargil regions of the Union Territory of Ladakh, almost similar to how the two regions had responded when Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated in August 2019. The two regions, however, remained united over the issue of Ladakh’s statehood, one of the key demands in their four-point agenda.
On Tuesday, Apex Body Leh (ABL), a coalition of social, religious and political bodies from Leh, issued a statement welcoming the court’s decision as a “strong step in the direction of strengthening national integration”. The Kargil region, however, remained skeptical, particularly over the question of Ladakh’s statehood.
The ABL in its statement said: “The (Article 370) judgment raised the hope that the Central government would reassess the situation and give Ladakh its due by elevating it as a full-fledged state… The large area, highly patriotic population waiting for due recognition, need for faster development, strategic location and distinct ethnic and cultural identity eminently entitled Ladakh to be made a state.” It recalled that it had “always opposed Article 370” and expressed satisfaction that the Supreme Court’s verdict had confirmed the “wisdom and maturity” of its approach.
Sajjad Kargili, a prominent political activist from the Kargil region and a part of the Center-appointed High Powered Committee (HPC), said, “Firstly, the petitions were filed on behalf of the people of J&K and Ladakh. The honourable court in its judgment only mentioned Ladakh in one line and left the question of statehood open.” He said the “government has drawn lines between Kashmir and Ladakh”, but people to people relations will not be impacted by this. “We can’t say that we are happy about this but we are in conversation with the Centre and we will continue to fight for our statehood,” said Kargili.
In 2019, the Ladakh region had witnessed protests soon after bifurcation of J&K, with residents seeking protection from the Centre over the issue of land, identity and language among other concerns. After more than three years, the Ministry of Home Affairs constituted a High Powered Committee in January this year to address the concerns of the people of the region. However, following disagreements over the constitution of the committee as well as the agenda of the meeting, the representatives from the region refused to engage with the Centre.
After 10 months of deliberations, representatives from two main bodies spearheading the movement in Ladakh — the ABL and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) — met with Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on December 4 in New Delhi and presented their four-point agenda: statehood for Ladakh, safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of Constitution, job reservation for the youth of Ladakh and separate parliamentary constituencies for the two regions — Leh and Kargil.
The socio-religious bodies of both regions have displayed unity in seeking protection for their respective areas but they were earlier divided over the issue of UT status for Ladakh. While Leh had initially celebrated the decision to designate Ladakh as a UT, the Kargil region had expressed dismay over its separation from J&K.
Article 370 and reunification with J&K’s administrative set-up were critical issues for the Kargil region. This was demonstrated in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council elections last month where the National Conference-Congress combine swept the polls.
Welcoming the SC verdict on Article 370, BJP MP from Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal said, “The people of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir stand by the decision of the court… Anyone who questioned the government of India’s decision on the matter of Article 370 has been silenced by this… The PM has restored normalcy and peace in J&K and now this will be strengthened. Therefore, the Election Commission will take its decision on conducting elections at the right time.”
Chhering Dorje, another member of the HPC from Leh, said the Centre is pursuing “delaying tactics” in the matter of Ladakh’s statehood and only returning the powers taken away from the Hill Councils will not constitute “empowerment”.
The next meeting of the HPC is scheduled to take place after the winter session of Parliament where the representatives are likely to push the Centre for the statehood of Ladakh. One of the major concerns driving this demand is the lack of representation Ladakh had in the J&K Assembly.
Naveed Iqbal – 2023-12-12 21:50