SRINAGAR: In a resounding show of solidarity, the Vikalp Sangam General Assembly and several other networks have issued a statement throwing their weight behind the ongoing movement of the people of Ladakh. The movement, characterised by its demand for constitutional measures to safeguard the land, culture, environment, and economic interests of Ladakhis, has garnered widespread support from various quarters across India.
Ladakh, it may be recalled here, is one protest and the popular social activist Sonum Wagchuk is one fast for the last many days. The protests emerged after the centre refused point blank to offer Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.
The statement emphasises the crucial need for the implementation of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution and the grant of statehood to Ladakh. These measures, proponents argue, would empower the people of Ladakh to chart their own destiny free from the overshadowing influence of bureaucrats dispatched from New Delhi.
Expressing dismay at the systematic sidelining of Ladakh’s long-standing demands, the statement highlights the government’s failure to uphold promises made during the conversion of Ladakh into a Union Territory in 2019. Despite assurances, the central government has been accused of dragging its feet and ultimately rejecting the legitimate demands of the Ladakhi people.
Of particular concern to the assembly and supporting networks are the reported attempts to suppress dissenting voices and intimidate protesters, including students and youth. The deployment of CCTV surveillance at fasting sites has been condemned as a heavy-handed tactic aimed at quelling dissent.
The statement underscores Ladakh’s unique ecological and cultural landscape, citing its significance in sustaining indigenous communities and biodiversity. However, the current trajectory, marked by unchecked development and corporate interests, threatens to disrupt this delicate balance, endangering both the livelihoods of Ladakhis and the broader ecosystem.
Calls for the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, coupled with enhanced autonomy for local governing bodies, echo throughout the statement. Proponents argue that such measures are essential to preserve Ladakh’s rich cultural heritage and empower communities to shape their own future.
In conclusion, the assembly and supporting networks urge the Government of India to heed the demands of the Ladakhi people and take decisive action to protect the region’s ecological and cultural integrity. They also call upon the people of Ladakh to continue strengthening their internal democratic processes to resist adverse decisions and pursue sustainable alternatives for their well-being.
The statement represents a unified voice of solidarity and support for the aspirations of the Ladakhi people, signaling a growing momentum behind their movement for autonomy and environmental preservation.
