A delegation of social and political activists from across India visited Kargil as part of a five-day programme titled “Understanding Ladakh,” extending solidarity with the ongoing movement in the region. The delegation included Sandeep Pandey, Guddi S.L., Soumya Dutta, Shahid Saleem, Manimala, Arundhati Dhuru, Meera Sanghmitra, Malati, Sarbjit Singh, Dr. Poornima Bisineer, Ganga, Mayuri, Mahesh, Dr. Gunjan Singh, Kunal Gadhalay and Sumeera Bhat, representing Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Delhi, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. They were associated with the Socialist Party (India), the National Alliance of People’s Movements and Hum Bharat ke Log.
At a meeting organised by the Kargil Democratic Alliance, the activists interacted with local leaders and community representatives including Mohammad Yaseen of the Merchants’ Association, Mubarak Shah of the Sunni community, Nasir Munshi of the Congress, Hanifa Jan, MP from the National Conference, Asgar Ali Karbalai, Co-Chair of the KDA and former MLA, Qamar Ali Akhnoon, former NC minister and Co-Chair of KDA, as well as leaders from student, trader, clerical and scholarly bodies.
Speakers highlighted that the BJP had promised Schedule VI protections to Ladakh in its 2019 Lok Sabha manifesto and in the 2020 Hill Development Council elections, but subsequently backtracked. They argued that without Schedule VI, Ladakh’s fragile ecology and cultural identity remain vulnerable. They also criticised the 2019 decision to downgrade Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to Union Territories, calling for restoration of full statehood. The lack of a Public Service Commission, absence of new government appointments for six years, and limited political representation were flagged as urgent issues.
Top academic and social activist Sandeep Pandey, who is also Secretary General of the Socialist Party (India), said, “The downgrading of J&K and Ladakh to Union Territories was a humiliation for elected representatives and people of both regions. Full statehood must be restored at the earliest. There has been no recruitment for government jobs for years in Ladakh, which is unacceptable, and the demand for two Lok Sabha seats is natural given the size of the region.”
He added that the government should also reconsider its approach to borders. “India should resolve its differences with Pakistan and China and allow free travel across borders. Tibet should also be granted autonomous status,” Pandey said.
The activists emphasised that Ladakh can sustain itself with the same resources currently allocated by the central government and that the denial of opportunities to local students and scholars must end. They called for implementation of the agreed reservation policy and fair appointments in Ladakh University.
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