Ladakh the picturesque idyllic high-altitude desert, which has been an enigma for Indians as also for the rest of the world, has been in the news in the recent past for an unheard of unrest. The turmoil can be traced back to the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and creation of a separate Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh. One would have presumed that, Ladakhis would be happy with this turn of events, where their voice would be heard much closer at Leh rather than at Srinagar under the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir. But it appears that the populace is not really enamoured by just getting themselves a UT, and want to go the whole hog, demanding a separate state itself. Before we go on to the merits and demerits of this demand, we need to understand the trigger for the latest round of protest.
Sonam Wangchuk, has been spearheading the demands for greater autonomy citing ecological threats under sixth schedule of the constitution for quite some time. This included his march to New Delhi last year at the same time and the present round of hunger strike which culminated on last Tuesday. Fresh talks with the Centre were scheduled for 6th Oct, hence this violence which appeared premeditated, is quite inexplicable. A region which is primarily Buddhist, where His Holiness the Dalai Lama resides and frequents quite often, its people, so gentle that they would love to spend their time with the prayer wheel and beads humming Om Mane Padme Hum, a Buddhist mantra representing ‘dharma’ and the ‘union of compassion and wisdom’ resorting to any kind of violence defies logic. Having spent two years in this wilderness and having traversed the length and breadth from Turtuk to Daulat Beg Oldie, Base Camp Sia Chen to Tso-Moriri lake and Pang on the Leh Manali route, having interacted with the locals, both soldiers of the brave & courageous Ladakh Scouts and the civilians, one can vouch for their simple frugal lifestyle, trusting nature and their trademark salutation of “Jule” with the ever-present effervescent smile.
Obviously, there are vested interests who would like to open a new front to keep India embroiled, more so in the region which is close to the Line of Actual Control. Ironically, even at the peak of militancy in Jammu & Kashmir, Kargil, a predominantly Muslim region remained peaceful and now when Kashmir is gradually limping back to normalcy, Ladakh is witnessing these violent protests. The supposed spontaneous Gen Z protests even in other parts of the world were not innocuous innocent ones, the dangerous trends have been visible and their outcomes are hardly democratic or peaceful. We consider Mr Sonam Wangchuk to be an intelligent man and he has been professing peace all along, then his exhortations on Gen Z for protests can’t be accepted at its face value. His organisation, Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) has done some pioneering grassroot level work is undeniable. But in the same vein, when he embarks on this path, where he starts questioning the infrastructure development along the disputed LAC with China, doubts are bound to be raised. This round of unprecedented development in the region is a driver for the local economy as well, as he would recall the days when Ladakh was a Shangri La, “a useless uninhabited land, where a not a blade of grass grew”, as quipped by our first Prime Minister himself. Today’s Ladakh is a paradise for the tourists, peaking in the summer season, when it is near impossible to get even accommodation forget about a vehicle. Over the years there is some semblance of agriculture too over here, with apples and Khubani in Kargil, sea buckthorn, the wild berries and even some vegetables are grown during the season. Typically wherever there is Army, the region invariably is benefitted in terms of greenery, which is visible in the treelines visible when we are descending at the Leh airport.
I am sure the govt will be proactive and nip the nascent unrest in the bud, Ecological Territorial Army on the lines of Eco TA forces which have done a yeomen service in the Shivalik and Aravali ranges may be raised for Ladakh to address the concerns regarding environmental hazards. A representative council for the UT may also be consented to. It is important for the Gen Z and the protesters to draw lessons from the happenings in the subcontinent and not play into the hands of unscrupulous elements who are neither their well-wishers, nor of the nation.
14 thoughts on “Ladakh : Paradise Threatened”
Ladakhis are simple but their simplicity cannot be taken for granted. Simple people are considered to be taken for granted but with changing times and aspirations their genuine local demands cannot be oppressed. I wish some sense prevails so that this docile race is kept on board
The BJP’s election manifesto had promised statehood for Ladakh under Schedule 6 of the Indian Constitution. This has turned out to be like the “पंद्रह लाख हर खाते में” promise. By asking for statehood for Ladakh Sonam Wangchuk is just reinforcing what the ruling party said in its own manifesto. But that has damned him.
The BJP is handling Ladakh just like the Congress handled Punjab- ineptly. Giving opportunity for trouble makers to fish in troubled waters. His visit to Pakistan was for a UN Conference in which he praised the Indian PM. But just that visit is sufficient to damn him.
It’s ludicrous the manner in which the state apparatus has got after him. But the message is clear- even healthy dissent will NOT be tolerated. And the PM had said “Dissent is the soul of democracy” while being interviewed by an American podcaster. Really?
Gone are the days when dande se sabko control ker sakte the. Everyone has a mobile phone and is a reporter.
Government should engage more with the grassroots and create federalism.
Local problems need to be solved locally
Seems be part of the toolkit at work elsewhere as well. Hopefully the powers that be handle it maturely
A large number of forces both from within and outside the country are working hard to keep the political instability in the country active .Suyash you have nicely covered and summed up the latest disturbance in Ladakh.
Nicely covered, thanks for updating us on the history too ; Indeed your personal experience in the area adds value- Arun
The unrest has fingerprints of intentions to create instability in the region.. Hope govt ensures that there is no second time for anti-national violent unrest…
Violence cannot be adopted by each and every one more so in a sensitive area like Ladakh . UT was a first step in granting autonomy .There would be clamour for statehoods everywhere which is not acceptable .
बौद्ध शिक्षाओं में, गौतम बुद्ध ने ‘मध्यम मार्ग’ का उपदेश दिया, जिसका अर्थ है कि वीणा के तारों को इतना नहीं खींचना चाहिए कि वे टूट जाएं, और न ही इतना ढीला छोड़ना चाहिए कि उनमें से कोई सुर ही न निकले। मध्यम मार्ग हमें सुख और दुःख के बीच संतुलन बनाए रखता है, ताकि हमें ज्ञान और शांति प्राप्त हो सके।…..बहुत बढ़िया काम मेरे दोस्त.
Sonam Wangchuk,perhaps dreaming of becoming the CM of Laddakh,tried this dangerous stunt.
What’s the alternative Dear Suyash? Praised a lot for his selfless services in the area, uplifting youth and needy students to a level where they can held heads high, now when the situations created by the existing Govt in such a way- the is only way out chosen was this. Though we don’t support the outside forces intervening in our National affairs. Regards VZ.
The developments in Ladakh are disturbing for sure; but clearly the lens through those very same developments are viewed differ with each persona !
Excellent Suyesh! You have very aptly written that it is inexplicable to see such violence when discussions were scheduled on 06th Oct. Hope every one wakes up..
It is quite suprising to know that suddenly Sonam Wangchuk has become a national threat. To quote today’s IE report – As recent as last year, key offices of Govt. we’re reaching out to the acclaimed education reformer, climate activist and technology innovator for guidance – from topics as diverse as water conservation, clean energy, tourism and even pashmina
Official records show Wangchuk was also centre’s go-to man to headline its flagship events in Ladakh, such as Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration and World Heritage Week
So much so, that in April 2022, BJP’s national secretary Vijay Tawde, then Education Minister of Maharashtra, publicly thanked Wangchuk for “working together towards betterment of our Nation, specially welfare of our students.” Wangchuk was a member of the Maharashtra International Education Board from 2018 when he was appointed by the Fadnavis Government.
As everyone knows that Wangchuk publicly thanked the PM for making Ladakh as Union territory in August 2019