Ladakh's newly elected MP, Mohammad Hanifa Jaan, has advocated for the inclusion in the Sixth Schedule and statehood for Ladakh. He has pledged to engage with leaders from the NDA as well as the INDIA block to secure rights for his constituents.
After resigning from the National Conference, Hanifa won the elections as an independent candidate. In an interview with PTI, he stated that he has no intentions of joining any coalitions. "Election dynamics have changed in Ladakh. Previously, votes were cast on religious or regional lines. This time, it was all about issues," he revealed.
It is notable that Ladakh became a Union Territory separate from Jammu and Kashmir following the repeal of Article 370 in 2019. There have been several protests in the recent years demanding security measures under the Sixth Schedule along with statehood. Aside from these, a four-point agenda was tabled involving negotiations with the Ministry of Home Affairs, including a separate Public Service Commission and two separate Lok Sabha seats for Kargil and Leh.
Just before the elections, the Home Ministry rejected their key demands, sparking major protests led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk in Leh. Even the BJP's substitution of the incumbent MP J Tsering Namgyal for Tashi Gyalson, chairman of the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council, did not turn the tide as BJP finished third. The Congress candidate, Tsering Namgyal who is also the opposition leader in the LAHDC, secured second place.
'80 Percent of Ladakh Discontent with the Status Quo'
In the interview, Hanifa Jaan expressed that over the last five years, complaints regarding the Union Territory setup have been continuous. "People are concerned about their future job prospects, many young dreams have been shattered. Even students are unsure about their futures. It’s a common issue in Ladakh. We've been fighting for these issues over the past five years. The Congress also highlighted the same issues in the elections. If we combine the vote share, a clear 80 percent of Ladakh's population is unhappy with the status quo and wishes to see resolutions," he emphasized.
Sought Rahul Gandhi's Support for Ladakh's Issues
The MP from Ladakh met with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday and shared the four-point demands. "The meeting with Rahul Gandhi went well. We presented the demands of the people of Ladakh in detail and inquired about his extent of support. Alongside meeting with INDIA block leaders, I will also approach the government representatives and raise issues. I hope that the government will pay attention to the concerns of the people of Ladakh and address them," he said.
Ladakh Needs India's People's Support
"I shall visit both the INDIA block and the NDA. If this doesn’t work, then I will turn to the people of India because Ladakh has made many sacrifices for the country. We’ve worked side by side with the army to keep the country safe. Now, Ladakh needs the support of the Indian people. It’s quite clear; I will not join any party. We've created a group - the Ladakh Democratic Alliance, and I will continue to work as an independent MP," he asserted.
'Ladakhis Desire to Govern Ladakh'
Hanifa Jaan stressed the importance of statehood for the Ladakhis to exercise their sovereignty. "Security measures won't help until democracy is established; we’ll remain under the LG and bureaucracy. We want Ladakhi people to govern Ladakh and make their own decisions. Previously, government jobs were the goal. Now, the challenge is to create employment for the youth," he stated firmly.
