Dialogue delayed as ex-MP, Minister turn COVID +ve
*Leh for 6th Schedule Status, Kargil keeps options open
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Nov 8: With a view to address concerns of the people of Union Territory of Ladakh as promised to them before Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah today rang up People’s Movement for 6th Schedule Status leader and former Lok Sabha member Thupstan Chhewang and invited him for talks along with other leaders but he sought time as two leaders of the Movement had turned Corona positive and secondly they wanted to elicit opinion of Kargil people as some of them had recently supported the visiting leaders of People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD).
One the other, the people of Kargil district have also floated Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) comprising various political and religious leaders and have called upon the Union Home Ministry to invite them for talks also as they too are open for dialogue. At the same time, the KDA is also ready to meet apex body of Leh, LAHDC Kargil Chairman-cum-CEC Feroz Khan said.
Confirming that he received the call from Amit Shah this morning, Movement leader Thupstan Chhewang, a two-time Member Parliament from Ladakh constituency, told the Excelsior that the Home Minister invited leaders of the People’s Movement for talks in New Delhi on the issues of 6th Schedule like status for the people of Ladakh for which the Movement had been floated in September ahead of elections to the LAHDC Leh. The BJP won the elections last month.
“I sought some time for the meeting in New Delhi on twin grounds. One, myself and another senior leader of the Movement Chering Dorjay, former Minister have tested positive for COVID-19. Secondly, we want to take opinion of the people of Kargil district about their stand on 6th Schedule as some of them had recently supported the visiting leaders of PAGD led by National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah,” Chhewang said.
He added that the Union Home Minister agreed to the proposal put forth by him for delaying the meeting for few days till the two Movement leaders test negative for the virus and they take opinion of Kargil leaders.
Chhewang said the Movement would like to know from representatives of Kargil district that whether they should speak on their behalf as some doubts have been raised over their stand on the grant of Union Territory status to Ladakh after the meeting of PAGD leaders—Omar Abdullah, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura etc recently in Kargil as the PAGD has been demanding restoration of special status of Jammu and Kashmir including Articles 370 and 35-A, which isn’t the demand of the Movement.
“We fully support the Union Territory status to Ladakh,’’ the Movement leader said.
Meanwhile, LAHDC Kargil Chairman-cum-CEC Feroz Khan told the Excelsior that several political and religious leaders of the district have floated Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) just two days ahead of Omar’s visit.
“Though I’m not part of the KDA but they have stated that though they support restoration of Articles 370 and 35-A and Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir but, at the same time, they realize the fact that matter is sub-judice. Therefore, the KDA is of the view that if the Government of India is sincere they should give full-fledged Statehood to Ladakh. They should look Ladakh into the perspective of Greater Ladakh including Gilgit and Baltistan which have several districts but are presently in possession of the neighbours,’’ Khan said.
He added the people of Kargil feel that in the Union Territory even if 6th Schedule Status is granted to Ladakh, the Lieutenant Governor holds the upper hand and, therefore, the full-fledged Statehood should be given to Ladakh till the Apex Court decision on sub-judice issue of special status.
“The Apex Body of Leh had sought appointment with Kargil Democratic Alliance, which conveyed willingness for talks but the delay occurred as two of the Leh leaders tested positive for virus. The Union Home Ministry should invite the KDA also for talks as they are open for dialogue with everyone,’’ Khan said.
It may be mentioned here that the People’s Movement, comprising leaders of all political parties and religious organizations of Leh had given call for boycott of LAHDC Leh elections soon after they were announced in Septembers. No candidate had filed nomination papers for elections after the boycott call.
Home Minister Amit Shah had later called the Movement leaders for talks in New Delhi and assured to address their concerns including Sixth Scheduled like status for Ladakh after election process for the LAHDC Leh is over. The BJP had won clear majority in the LAHDC Leh securing 15 out of 26 seats leaving Congress at second spot with nine seats.
The Union Home Ministry had promised all Constitutional safeguards to the people of Ladakh enshrined in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India either by implementing the Sixth Schedule or in any other form. It had said the decision will be taken in consultations with representatives from Leh and Kargil.
The Home Ministry had also agreed to empowerment of Hill Development Councils of Leh and Kargil, which was one of the demands projected by the delegation.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
