Ladakh protests for constitutional safeguards and Statehood

Thousands gather in Leh, Ladakh for a complete shutdown, demanding constitutional safeguards, cultural protection, and Statehood.

Ladakh observed a complete shutdown on Saturday as thousands gathered in Leh to demand constitutional safeguards, protection of cultural identity and environment, and Statehood for the Union Territory.

Chering Dorjay Lakrook, a member of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), said that a record number of people joined the procession and protest in Leh.

“All parts of Ladakh were shut down. People from China border and Nubra Valley travelled to Leh to participate in the protest. We will continue to press for our four demands,” Mr. Lakrook said.

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The LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), representing the Buddhist majority and Shia Muslim dominated regions respectively, are jointly protesting for Statehood for Ladakh, the inclusion of Ladakh in the sixth schedule of the constitution, thus giving it a tribal status, job reservation for locals and a parliamentary seat each for Leh and Kargil.

Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member from Ladakh, Thupstan Chhewang (76) said that he would fight for Ladakh’s cause till the last breath. He was accompanied by Sonam Wangchuk, an education reformer and one of the popular faces from the region who inspired the Hindi movie 3 Idiots.

Ladakh was turned into a UT, as the Centre decided to end the special constitutional position of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and split it into two Union Territories — without a legislative Assembly — on August 5, 2019.