New Delhi: On Saturday, February 3, there was a complete shutdown in Kargil demanding full statehood for Ladakh and constitutional safeguards under the 6th Schedule, while thousands of people from different parts of Ladakh marched on the streets in Leh. And after that a rally was also organized.
The call for complete shutdown and Leh Chalo was given jointly by both Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, who had announced to intensify the movement mainly for four demands:
1) Full statehood for Ladakh.
2) Security measures for this under the 6th Schedule.
3) Job security for the people of Ladakh Early establishment of a separate Public Service Commission for Ladakh.
4) Creation of separate Lok Sabha constituencies for the twin districts of Leh and Kargil.
What is the 6th schedule?
The 6th Schedule under Article 244 provides for the formation of autonomous administrative divisions – Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) – which have certain legislative, judicial and administrative autonomy within the state.
The 6th Schedule contains special provisions for the administration of tribal areas in the four north-eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
Regarding these demands, a Ladakh Bandh was called across the entire Ladakh on 3 February. At present the temperature in Leh has fallen from 0 to -10, in such cold people from every corner of Ladakh came and gathered in Leh. The large number of people of Leh who have participated in this movement has been described as the biggest movement of Leh so far. In Leh, everyone first marched from the radio station to Leh Gate and then gathered at the Polo Ground for a meeting. The huge crowd that was seen in the meeting held last Saturday in such cold weather, it is being said that so many people had never come to any meeting in Ladakh.
Many political parties and many religious leaders gave speeches in this meeting. When Article 370 was abolished on 5th August, Ladakh was separated from Jammu and Kashmir and made a Union Territory. After which the people of Ladakh feel that the Indian Government is no longer fulfilling the promises it had made to them while removing Article 370.
Sonam Wangchuk also participated in this meeting, who has been working in the field of environment and education in Ladakh for many years. Sonam Wangchuk had also fasted for these demands last year. Addressing the gathering, he said, “It is not so, the ministers of the Government of India, the Home Minister are well-wishers of Ladakh, they want to give (6th Schedule), this curtain which was between us and the government seems to be exposed. And it started coming to light that some industrial groups, who see money in the valleys in the mountains, who do not think about tomorrow, are engaged in looting today. They want to loot Ladakh in the same way, which they have looted in Himachal and Uttaranchan.
Sonam Wangchuk said, “When 370 was no longer there for the protection of this (Ladakh) sensitive mountainous region, you assured the people of Ladakh. Your ministers and leaders came here from Delhi and assured us that Ladakh will be protected in the 6th schedule of Article 244 of the Indian Constitution.
Then he showed the manifesto of BJP to the people and said that not just one but two elections, first in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and then in the 2020 hill council elections, you promised to include Ladakh in the 6th schedule in your manifesto.
Sonam Wangchuk also alleged that those who demand the 6th schedule in Leh are harassed.
