Inferno and anger on the streets of Leh... The district of Ladakh, known for its tranquility, suddenly witnessed violent unrest on Wednesday. Young protestors engaged in stone-pelting, clashed with the police, and set the BJP office on fire. The violent protest claimed four lives and left 70 people injured. Consequently, Section 163 of the BNSS was imposed in Ladakh and Kargil.
This violence sparked from a movement demanding full statehood for Ladakh, led by environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, along with a push for it to be included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Nonetheless, the Ministry of Home Affairs declared that Wangchuk had incited the crowd by alluding to Arab Spring-style protests and Nepal's Gen Z demonstrations.
What the Ministry of Home Affairs Declared
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a statement on the Ladakh violence, clarifying that the Central Government was committed to ongoing dialogue. They noted that Sonam Wangchuk commenced a hunger strike on September 10, even though his demands were under consideration by the High Powered Committee (HPC). The government increased the reservation for Scheduled Tribes in Ladakh from 45% to 84%, allotted 1/3 reservation for women in councils, granted official recognition to Bhoti and Purgi languages, and started hiring processes for 1800 positions.
The Ministry accused Wangchuk of provoking the crowd by mentioning 'Arab Spring' and 'Gen Z' movements. On September 24, a violent mob in Leh set political party and CEC offices on fire, torched police vehicles, and injured more than 30 security personnel. As the situation escalated, the police had to fire in self-defense, resulting in deaths.
The Ministry stated that the situation was brought under control by 4 PM. They accused Wangchuk of breaking his fast amid the violence without returning to his village to help calm the situation. The Center reaffirmed its commitment to Ladakh's aspirations and constitutional rights.
How the Violent Protests Began
The violence erupted when a vast number of young demonstrators assembled at Leh's NDS Memorial Ground, misting the air with dark smoke. Amid this tension, some protestors began hurling stones at the BJP office and Hill Council, eventually setting the BJP office ablaze. Vehicles parked nearby were also set on fire, escalating the concern.
It's crucial to understand why this violence erupted, how it happened, and what might happen next in Ladakh. The protests began on September 10 when environmentalist and activist Sonam Wangchuk announced a hunger strike to press for four key demands. These include granting full statehood to Ladakh, providing constitutional protection under the Sixth Schedule, declaring Kargil and Leh separate constituencies, and prioritizing local candidates for government jobs.
Why Did the Violence Occur and Who Instigated It?
The Central Government was in dialogue with some representatives from Ladakh regarding these demands, with the next meeting scheduled for October 6. However, violence erupted before this meeting. The question remains, why did this violence occur when dialogue was scheduled, and who instigated it? Wangchuk and his supporters allege that the Central Government does not wish to grant constitutional protection under the Sixth Schedule, fueling the anger among Ladakh's youth.
What's Written in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution?
For reference, the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution mentions self-governance, allowing for the creation of Autonomous District Councils in some tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. These councils have the power to create rules related to land and forests, make laws pertaining to local administration and governance, and preserve their traditions, customs, and culture. Wangchuk and his supporters want similar rights conferred to Ladakh.
They argue that approximately 97% of Ladakh's population comprises Scheduled Tribes, with Leh at 66.8%, Nubra at 73.35%, Khalsi at 97.05%, Sankoo at 89.96%, Kargil at 83.49%, and Zanskar having 99.16% Scheduled Tribes.
Who Are the Two Major Organizations Behind These Demands?
Now, let's discuss the two major organizations backing these demands. The first organization is the Leh Apex Body, formed in 2020, and the second is the Kargil Democratic Alliance, also formed in 2020. Sonam Wangchuk is a member of the Leh Apex Body. These two organizations have been working in tandem since 2020. Their representatives engaged in talks with the Central Government, and another round was scheduled for October 6. However, the violence erupted before that.
Questions Arise About Sonam Wangchuk
Let's understand why the violence occurred. Sonam Wangchuk and his followers began a hunger strike on September 10. On September 23, two protestors, one among them a senior woman, fainted during the hunger strike. This event agitated the Leh Apex Body protestors, leading them to believe that peaceful hunger strikes were ineffective. The youth wing of this organization then called for a shutdown in Leh on Wednesday, urging protestors to gather outside the BJP office for a mass rally.
Subsequently, the Kargil Democratic Alliance offered support for this shutdown, announcing a complete shutdown in Ladakh. Following these developments, the protest turned violent in Leh, resulting in four confirmed deaths. However, questions have been raised regarding Sonam Wangchuk's role, who had previously advocated peaceful demonstrations and continuously posted videos of his hunger strike on social media. During the violence, Wangchuk remained silent but later issued a statement, breaking his 15-day fast and urging youths to maintain peace, attributing the violence to the frustration of Ladakh's Gen Z.
BJP Accuses Congress of Serious Allegations
The head of BJP's IT Cell, Amit Malviya, accused Congress with serious allegations relating to the violence. He shared some images and videos on X, claiming that the individual in the pictures is a Congress councilor from Leh Ward. The BJP questioned if Rahul Gandhi's recent mention of Gen Z youths was related to this violence. Congress has yet to respond to these accusations.
In Ladakh, with a population of about 300,000, nearly 23% are Gen Z youths, around 70,000 individuals aged 13 to 28, who are believed to have participated in this violent movement.
Demand for Full Statehood Since 2019
Notably, since 2019, when the Central Government revoked Article 370 and Article 35-A, making Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh Union Territories, the demand for full statehood for Ladakh has been ongoing. Since then, Sonam Wangchuk has been advocating for Ladakh's inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. However, Ladakh holds significant strategic importance for India with its border spanning 1,597 kilometers along the LAC with China. Any protests or violence in Ladakh are not ideal for India, making it crucial to examine if this violence was incited or orchestrated, which would make it an even graver issue.
