Dr A C Bhagat
Ladakh, historically part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir has a unique, ethnic,culture and geographical identity. Passionate, soft spoken and cool minded people of Ladakh have a great history behind them. High altitude is the characteristics of this region coupled with rugged mountainous ranges and deep rivers and valleys. The region surrounds parts of Himalayas and Karakoram Mountain ranges with heights ranging from 2750 meters (9,022 feet) to 7672 meters (25,170 feet) from sea level. The famous Indus River and its tributaries that flow through its scenic landscape create the fertile valleys despite of being dry arid terrain.
Allegedly, relinquished, marginalized and estranged people of Ladakh have had been taken for granted by the successive governments of erstwhile reigns of Jammu and Kashmir and erstwhile Central governments, as well. They have suffered the extremes of all hardships, be it fundamental amenities and basic human rights like road connectivity, electricity, water, healthcare, education and what not. Srinagar- Leh Highway developed from the mid-20th century only. But these patriotic, silent natured and cultured people despite of all odds resisted and never lost courage and always stood for welfare of the region, be those whether politicians, bureaucrats, social activists, religious personalities and civil society etc. One among many other tall personalities i.e. a Hero Engineer namely Sonam Norbu. This forgotten engineer had built the Airstrip that saved Ladakh. He was the first chief engineer of Ladakh who played a key role in procuring sanction and getting constructed the Srinagar – Leh Highway. He was actually instrumental in its both the aspects i.e. survey and construction of the road through Zoli La Pass in 1950’s.
Engineer Sonam Norbu of Ladakh was a distinguished engineer, visionary and public servant who is remembered for his crucial contribution for infrastructure development in the remote Himalayan region of Ladakh. His work played a pivotal role in transforming Ladakh’s connectivity and development during the mid-20th century.Early times politicians from rest of the Jammu and Kashmir and those from national level even could not contribute to the urgent requirements in respect of welfare and development in that region. Politicians often used to pay visits to Ladakh at two occasions – a) during the electioneering time and b) during summers to enjoy scenic beauties of the area. But the fact remains that no political party / government cared for this region in real sense. It is worth remembering that during 1960’s, 70’s, 80’s and even during 1990’s scared like and seemingly shy type of students from Ladakh used to be seen wandering here and there in Jammu as well in Srinagar, mostly in association with their own fellows because they had to face somewhat difficult times with surrounding different culture, climate etc. besides putting up in residential accommodations, managing their food etc. as during those time there were no PGs and almost no hostels also.
Politicians of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi acted as their political mentors / patrons and remained less serious in respect of needs and deeds of Ladakh. People of this region were wise enough to understand all such gimmicks but there was no such atmosphere to raise their demands, however, in a veiled manner when these people used to become fed-up, they used to discuss among themselves that, had Ladakh been a separate entity in the form of union territory and slowly and silently such narrative was flaring up.
Likewise, times passed on and slowly and steadily the people of Ladakh felt neglected and underrepresented in the governance of J&K. In the 1980s and early 1990s there were strong demands for Union Territory status and local autonomy. Protests under the leadership of Ladakh Budhist Association (LBA) and other civil society organizations led to demand for a separate administrative set up. In response to these demands and to ensure peace and representation, the government of India in 1995 created the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)and later the same became an Act. called Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act, 1995 passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. Similarly in the year 2003, Kargil Hill Council was created, giving similar powers to the Kargil district. These councils exercise powers over local development (roads, schools, hospitals, tourism, environment, etc.), planning and budgetary allocations at district level, cultural and linguistic preservation, management of local resources. However, law and order, communications, higher education and judiciary remain under the control of Union Territory administration.
These councils have put significant impact to reduce regional alienation by ensuring grassroots participation in governance, enabled Ladakh to develop policies suited to its climatic, cultural and environmental matters, played a crucial role in preserving Ladakhi culture and identity, brought infrastructure development, tourism planning and culture promotion under local control.
After the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A on August 5,2019 and the re-organization of J&K state into two Union Territories – (i) Jammu and Kashmir and (ii) Ladakh, State subject law was repealed. This caused resentment among the people of Leh and Kargil and people feared on account of ;
(i) Loss of land ownership rights
(ii) Influx of outsiders
(iii) Threats to local culture
People across both in Leh and Kargil had been demanding legal safeguards similar to the earlier State Subject Certificate. Therefore, various groups including the Apex Body of Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), have demanded – *restoration of land, job and cultural protections * constitutional status for Ladakh under Sixth Schedule and * revival of the State Subject System. Lately, Sonam Wangchuk- a renowned scientist, environmentalist, innovator, education reformer and founder of SECMOL (Students Educational & Cultural Movement of Ladakh) to raise the region’s neglect, and to safeguard constitutional rights of Ladakh, resorted to non-violent protests including fast unto death and FOOT MARCH from Ladakh to Delhi, is a live example of their sincerity and hard work along with entire leadership of Ladakh irrespective of their regional, political, ideological, and religious differences.
The people of Ladakh have been able to achieve more and seem to be constantly on a winning path compared to UT of J&K, for example;
a) In 2021, the Ladakh UT introduced a Resident Certificate (RC) required to apply for government jobs. This certificate is issued to people whose families were permanent residents of Ladakh before 2019. This is aimed at preventing outsiders from taking local jobs.
b) In 2021-22, the UT administration-imposed Land Ownership Restrictions enabling that such rights will be restricted to local residents only. Revenue laws were amended or adapted to preserve local rights over land.
c) There is a strong ongoing movement demanding constitutional guarantees to protect Ladakhi’s identity either through Sixth Schedule or through new version of State Subject laws.
d) Lately, it has been given to understand that people of Ladakh are now demanding that Ladakh be made a independent state and naturally with its own Legislative Assembly and who knows that they may not get this demand too fulfilled as in social print media (D.E. 09-07-2027) the matter appeared with caption, “Formal creation of 5 new districts in Ladakh on cards, MHA to make announcement soon”
e) It is learnt from various print media news that Ladakh UT administration is going to recruit educated unemployed youth on large scale to fill up various vacant positions in different government departments -with the caption, “Ladakh launches major recruitment drive for gazetted, N-G posts” (D.E 03-07-2025 for which Ladakh announced 5 years age relaxation for GO’s posts (D.E. 02-07-2025).
f) Decks have also been cleared for promotion from NGOs to GOs through DPC as appeared in the print media with caption, “Ahead of recruitment, MHA empowers LG with appointment of GOs excepting CS, DGP (D.E. 10-07-2025).
At last, but not least, I would like to conclude that, “Where does Jammu and Kashmir stand comparatively.”Whether the leadership of J&K lags behind in respect of such sincerity and political will and empathy towards its people ?
(The author is former Dy. Director, presently- Chairperson, Lok Adhikaar Mission, J&K)
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