J&K: Massive Protest in Ladakh Demands Statehood Ahead of PM Modi's Visit to Kashmir

New Delhi: As crowds were being gathered to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first rally in Jammu & Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, a massive protest was held in Ladakh a day earlier, leading to the complete shutdown of Leh.

The protesters demanded special status for Ladakh, with climate activist and Magsaysay award winner Sonam Wangchuk  announcing a 21-day fast after talks with the Union Home Ministry on March 4, failed to make any headway, said a report by The Telegraph.

 “I am Sonam Wangchuk reaching out to the people of the world from Indian Himalayas, a place called Leh, Ladakh, at 3,500 metres, 11,500 feet,” Wangchuk told the massive gathering in Leh, adding “Today on the sixth of March, I will be sitting on a fast unto death, which will happen in stages of 21 days each, extended as necessary. It is 21 days because this happens to be the longest fast that Mahatma Gandhi kept during the Independence movement of India. I want to follow the same peaceful path that Mahatma Gandhi followed, where we inflict pain on ourselves, not on anybody else,” as per The Telegraph report.

The report cited Congress leader Tsering Namgial sas saying that more people would joint the fast. He said, “During talks on March 4, the Central government categorically rejected our demands for implementation of the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule in Ladakh and statehood. There is a lot of anger in Ladakh and people have decided to launch an agitation in favour of their demands”.

The talks were held between the Home Ministry and and twin bodies of Ladakh, Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) .

The massive protest rally was timed to draw attention of Prime Minister Modi to the demands of the people of Ladakh for the demand of statehood, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The

 According to Kashmir Times, there was a complete shutdown in Leh as those participating in the protest included people from all walks of life, grassroots organisations, civil society, among others.

According to the official statement put out by the Centre, a “High Powered Committee under the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs has been working actively with the representatives of ABL and KDA. A significant progress has been made. A sub-committee constituted by the HPC, is also actively engaged with the Ministry of Law and other experts. The second meeting of the said sub-committee was held today which was attended by the representatives of ABL and KDA. Senior officers of Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department were also present. The meeting was held in a cordial manner and various issues pertaining to land, employment and constitutional safeguards progressed for the benefit of the people of Ladakh.”

However, LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjey Lakruk said at the rally that “the deadlock in the ongoing talks with the MHA prevailed on the demands of Statehood, 6th Schedule and PSC, which are the three main demands among a total of a dozen issues faced by the people of Ladakh region.”

“The MHA wanted to implement some parts of the 6th Schedule indirectly, while we insisted on its direct implementation besides the restoration of Statehood,” he was quoted as saying by Kashmir Times.

 As per a joint statement dated March 4, 2024, posted on X by Sajjad Kargil, a “political activist”:

“Today the Sub-committee of Leh Apex Body  and Kargil Democratic Alliance held a meeting with the official of Ministry of Homa Affairs, advisor to UT of Ladakh. The meeting ended without any concrete outcome. Subsequently, the sub-committee members had a meeting with Hon’ble Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence.

Thei meeting too didn’t result in any positive outcome. Both the bodies will devise future course of action after consultation with the people of the two districts.”

The statement was signed by Thupstan Chhewang, Asgar Karbalai, Chering Dorkey Lakruk and Qamar Ali Akhoon.