LADAKH AFTER 2019 HOPE UNREST, AND THE ROAD AHEAD

 

In August 2019, when Ladakh was carved out of Jammu and Kashmir and granted Union Territory (UT) status, the people of Leh erupted in celebration. For decades, Ladakhis had sought separation from Kashmir, believing their unique geography, culture, and aspirations were overshadowed by Valley-centric politics. The long-standing demand had finally been met, and expectations were high for a new chapter of empowerment. But optimism soon gave way to disquiet. Ladakh was made a UT without a legislature. Decision-making shifted to the Lieutenant Governor and a circle of bureaucrats, while the Hill Development Councils saw their powers diminished. Local voices, which had fought for decades to be heard, suddenly found themselves weakened and sidelined in their own homeland. For Ladakhis, this was not just an administrative issue. It was about dignity, representation, and a sense of ownership. For decades, the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) had been the principal and time-tested platform articulating Ladakhi aspirations, cultural, political, and developmental, and had consistently stood for integration with India. Its leadership played a crucial role in securing UT status and in defending Ladakh’s civilizational identity within the Indian Union. In recent years, newer organizations such as the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have emerged, raising concerns over land, jobs, and cultural protections. While they have galvanized protests and even forged rare unity between Leh and Kargil, their relative newness has left them under scrutiny regarding representativeness and long-term vision, besides being under scanner. Nonetheless, their demands, especially for Sixth Schedule safeguards, reflect widespread anxieties across Ladakh’s communities. The removal of protections under Article 370, while historic, added to these anxieties. Ladakhis had never aligned with Kashmiri separatism, yet the absence of land and job protections triggered fears of demographic change, cultural dilution, and ecological disruption. Rising unemployment, especially among youth, compounded the situation. Delhi’s response in appointing committees and offering vague assurances, was seen as perfunctory. When hunger strikers were recently hospitalized, it became a flashpoint, sparking violent clashes, arson, and tragic loss of life. Allegations of Chinese meddling only reinforced the strategic gravity of the crisis. What Delhi overlooked is that Ladakh is not just another UT. It is India’s strategic frontier, sharing borders with both China and Pakistan. From Kargil to Siachen to the Line of Actual Control, Ladakh’s terrain is the frontline of national defence. Its people, though few in number, have always stood as guardians of this frontier. Civilizationally and politically, Ladakhis have remained steadfastly committed to India’s sovereignty and nationalism. Weakening their trust risks weakening India’s northern shield. The Way Forward Keeping Ladakh peaceful must be treated as a national priority. The path to stability lies in empowering and partnering with Ladakhis through measures that build trust and reflect local realities: l CONSTITUTIONAL SAFEGUARDS: Extend Sixth Schedule or equivalent protections to secure land, jobs, and culture. l DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATION: Either create a locally elected legislature or empower Hill Development Councils with real legislative and financial authority. l TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATION: Recognize the historic role of the Ladakh Buddhist Association as a key stakeholder, while engaging LAB and KDA in structured dialogue to ensure inclusivity and transparency. l YOUTH & EMPLOYMENT: Launch special recruitment drives in armed forces, paramilitary, education, and administration. Support eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, and skill development. l ECOLOGICAL & CULTURAL BALANCE: Ensure all development projects respect Ladakh’s fragile environment and civilizational heritage. l INSTITUTIONALIZED DIALOGUE: Establish a regular consultative mechanism with Leh, Kargil, civil society, and religious bodies to prevent alienation and build policy consensus. The people of Ladakh have consistently demonstrated their loyalty to India through their service in the armed forces, their resilience in harsh border conditions, and their cultural identification with the Indian nation. They seek not separation but dignity and partnership. The recent unrest must serve as a warning. Ladakh’s peace is not merely a local matter; it is a national imperative. Delhi must act decisively to empower Ladakhis, strengthen their trust, and ensure that the region, India’s strategic frontier, remains both peaceful and secure. For New Delhi, keeping Ladakh peaceful by empowering and partnering with Ladakhis is not a choice but a national necessity.

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Courtesy: SHAILENDRA AIMA  and Spade A Spade,2025