Government Silence On Ladakh! How Long Can They Ignore The People?

On October 4, 2024, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk stated that he along with other Ladakh protesters would sit on an indefinite hunger strike from October 7, because the Central government had responded in vain to their demands for a meeting with the President, Prime Minister, and Union Home Minister. This came in the wake of a series of protests and negotiations aimed at securing statehood for Ladakh and integration into the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Wangchuk has been a key figure among a spate of protests organised by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). The groups have joined to campaign for constitutional protections to safeguard the rights and interests of the tribal population that consists of 97% of their population, according to the census.

The story of Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike and the protests by the people of Ladakh speaks to a greater struggle of rights, representation, and justice in a region that feels oft-overlooked by its central government. In simple and human terms, the article will look at what has gone wrong, why these protests have been gaining momentum, and what implications this may hold for the future of Ladakh.

Why is Ladakh Protesting?

Ladakh is a remote, breathtakingly beautiful region at the northern tip of India that was once part of the larger state of Jammu and Kashmir. However, on 5.8.2019, the Indian government took a big step that utterly changed the scenario; it abrogated the special status of J & K and managed to bifurcate Ladakh as a separate Union Territory. On the face of it, this seems to be a step forward, but ironically, it has let loose a whole series of deep concerns about their future among its people.

Ladakh’s people are basically tribal with special needs, mainly because of the severity of the climate and their way of living. They were afraid that unless legally protected well, everything about identity, culture, and land may come under threat. 

Indeed, this fear only grew after the government made Ladakh a Union Territory without giving it a state government or proper legislative assembly: decisions regarding their land, jobs, and governance would now be made in New Delhi, far away from Ladakh’s mountains and valleys.

So, over the last couple of years, grass-root organisations have been campaigning for the issues of the locals through their committed resource persons such as the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).

Their demands are simple but very crucial to the needs of the people of Ladakh; they demand statehood for Ladakh and demand that Ladakh be incorporated under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which would further empower them to hold more ground over the territory, employment opportunities, and resources available in Ladakh.

The Beginning of the Demonstrations

Sonam Wangchuk, the well-known climate activist and engineer from Ladakh, had had enough in early 2024. In collaboration with LAB and KDA, he set out on the “Delhi Chalo Padyatra,” a peaceful march beginning from Leh, heading towards the new national capital of India, New Delhi, to bring forward the demands for statehood as well as incorporation in the Sixth Schedule in Ladakh.

For a month, Wangchuk, along with the protesters, were on the streets, raising awareness and seeking a meeting with the central government. “We wanted a sit-down talk, you know, with the President, the Prime Minister, or the Union Home Minister—the top guys here. We wanted to tell them about our problems. But we went there peacefully, begging for a meeting; no response at all from the authorities.”

No Response, No Action

This is not a new issue. The Ladakhis met with government officials several times after it became a Union Territory in 2019. On such a platform, the government promised everything. 

For example, the government boasted of setting up a Service Selection Board for the Ladakh region so that local dwellers get employment opportunities in their own region. They also promised to protect the regional environment and ensure that Ladakhis would not lose control over their land and resources.

But all these promises were never translated into action on the ground. The Ladakhis instead witnessed rising numbers of outsiders coming to their region, threatening to snatch away their jobs and land. The non implementation of these promises betrayed the people.

It is like the government is ignoring the rich culture, strategic importance, and fragile ecosystem of Ladakh.

The Laws They Want. What is the Sixth Schedule?

The 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution protects tribal areas in India. It was created to look after certain areas, mainly in the north eastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram,  empowering these regions to take more decisions regarding their own administration. This is through Autonomous Councils that could decide on land use, health, and other issues connected with the people within the area.

For Ladakh, 97% of whom are tribals according to the census, incorporation in the Sixth Schedule would mean that Ladakh could take decisional control over its land and its resources. It would give power to protect its fragile environment and ensure development in the region with a respect for their culture and way of life.

The Fast: A Peaceful but Powerful Protest

Sonam Wangchuk said that after waiting for a response from the government, he announced on October 4, 2024, that he and the others would sit on an indefinite fast starting on October 7. A fast is a form of non-violent protest where people refuse to eat until their demands are heard. It is one of those forms of protest used throughout history in calling for just causes.

Wangchuk is not unknown to using peaceful methods in order to bring change about. He is more popular for his work in education and efforts to conserve the Ladakh environment. The decision to sit for a fast is a glaring indicator of how drastically the situation has worsened. “If you will not listen to our words, perhaps you will listen to our silence and sacrifice”.

The Detention of Wangchuk. Government’s Response?

The issue was to get hotter as soon as the fast was to start. Sonam Wangchuk was detained by Delhi Police. He was released without any particular reason assigned to his detention. His detention further states tension between the government and the protesters.

Why was Wangchuk detained? Was it an attempt to silence him? The government has not given a particular answer. But for many people, this detention feels like another way that the government is trying to avoid addressing the real issues at the heart of the protests.

What the Government Promised and Failed to Deliver?

The present government led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assured to safeguard the interest of every corner of India, especially Ladakh. The BJP used the phrase of giving a special status to Ladakh in its vision of a strong and strong unified India. Nevertheless, the action of the government since 2019 has told a different story.

Instead of listening to the needs of Ladakh, the government has postponed crucial decisions, given false hopes, and let outsiders occupy land and jobs from locals. Ladakhis feel that the Ladakhi voice is suppressed, Ladakhi culture not recognized, and Ladakh’s land is being threatened.

They assured Ladakh’s special culture and environment would not be disturbed as per their manifesto when they entered politics. They assured more autonomy to the region and gave the population a right to decide its future. However, all these today appear to be hollow words. 

The demands for statehood and inclusion of sixth schedule have been ignored by the government. No governmental agency could ensure the future of Ladakh.

The Laws Being Ignored

This protest sits at the centre of an agenda for a Sixth Schedule that will protect tribal communities and give them major shares of the power over their lands and resources. Well, above that is another law being overlooked.

For example, Ladakh is a fragile ecology as well and has some legislative environmental laws enacted to ensure that no form of development comes and destroys the beauty of the region or hurts its ecological structure. 

More outside people going to Ladakh makes one forget these laws in favour of easy ways to do things. The beautiful landscape of the region could soon be lost as it is not only significant for the local community but to the rest of the world.

On job reservations-which are supposed to prevent the loss of jobs to outsiders, the area also has legislation. It does not, however, have any real enforcement, and Ladakhis end up sitting there whilst Indians from other places fill up all the jobs which are supposed to come to them.

What’s Really Going Wrong?

The total refusal of the government to take up the cause of Ladakh’s aspirations portrays a deeper issue with the way this region has been treated. It is not just an isolated territory of India but rich in history, unique in culture, and needs environmental protection that requires urgent attention.

All this leads to a lack of respect to the people of Ladakh as made obvious by the government’s actions (or inactions). Before questions start getting raised- ignoring demands, delaying decisions, or allowing outsiders take over, something which it spoke in its manifest promises, it broke; it failed in defending land, jobs, and culture of Ladakh.

Why This Must Not Be Allowed to Continue?

Ladakh needs better than what is unfolding before them. Ladakh needs a listening government that shall take concrete actions on their fundamental rights concerns. Promises made by the government must be delivered-not in words but in concrete action. Ladakh needs statehood. It needs to be included in the Sixth Schedule. And it needs laws protecting its environment, jobs, and future.

But, if the government fails to heed these demands, it risks not only the future of Ladakh but even the unity of the nation itself. Ladakh is part and parcel of India, and so are its people. They deserve the right to decide what is good for the lands they own and what resources they possess. They deserve the right to protect their culture and their way of life.

Sonam Wangchuk is on a fast that reminds everyone that if people are ignored, there are plenty of other ways to be heard. The government cannot silence these voices forever. It is time to act, not just hold speeches. It is time for justice, not to delay.

It’s not politics; it’s actually a question of justice and fairness to be given the time to be heard. It’s about the protection of a rich culture and natural beauty, prone to the hegemonic pressures of others. The people of Ladakh have waited a long. They marched and protested and now are fasting.

It must respond to those pressures and deliver on its promises of respect to the people of Ladakh and protection for their future. If it fails, consequences will stretch far beyond the borders of Ladakh into the very heart of India. It is time for change now.