TSEWANG RIGZIN
LEH: The complete unity amongst all religious and political organisations of Leh with regard to the demand of Union Territory status for Ladakh came as a surprise before Union Home Minister Rajnath Sigh on Monday at Leh. Political, religious and civil society leaders of Leh decided to present only one joint memorandum and speak only about UT with legislature for Ladakh this time. Attired in Ladakhi dress all leaders of Leh marched towards 5th Battalion ITBP Officers Mess to meet the Home Minister to advocate for the grant of UT status with legislature for Ladakh in one voice.
Rajnath Sigh is on a two-day visit to Ladakh to hear the aspirations of people and he is scheduled to visit Kargil on Tuesday to interact with people of Kargil. Earlier people of Ladakh had questioned the intention of Government of Indian when ‘All Party Delegation’ didn’t schedule a visit to Ladakh region when it visited Kashmir and Jammu regions.
“Given the prevailing situation in J&K, all of us are committed to realization of this long standing demand and appeal to the Government of India in one voice to consider our long standing demand for grant of the Union Territory status with legislature for Leh- Ladakh,” reads the joint memorandum that signed by heads of all religious and political organisations of Leh. Religious communities who signed the memorandum through their heads included Buddhist, Shia, Suni, Sufia Noorbaksh and the Christians. While signatory political parties included Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), National Conference (NC) and New Ladakh Movement (NLM).
Giving historical background how Ladakh merged with Jammu and Kashmir, MP Ladakh Thupstan Chhewang said Ladakh itself was a country before Zorawar Singh annexed Ladakh in the 19th century. He alleged that Ladakh suffered discriminations on all developmental fronts and allocation of funds during the reigns of all successive state governments since the independence despite Ladakhi people guarding the nation shoulder to shoulder with the army from two hostile nations. Urging for the urgent need to grant UT for Ladakh, Chhewang said Ladakh has been demanding separation rom Jammu & Kashmir and be directly governed from New Delhi for decades.
While advocating for UT status for Ladakh, Congress Legislature Party leader and MLA Leh Nawang Rigzin Jora proposed that Jammu and Kashmir be trifurcated since three regions have different problems and different aspirations. Minister for Ladakh Affarist and Cooperative also urged the Ladakh be separated from J and K by giving UT status. In his introductory remarks President Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) Tsewang Thinles briefed the Home Minister about the purpose of the one joint delegation with one agenda. President Anjuman Mon-ul-Islam Sheik Saif -ud- Din, President Anjuman Immamia Ashraf Ali, and President Chritain community Dechen Chamga also advocated for the grant of UT for Ladakh. All speakers brought to the notice of the Home Minister that Ladakh has nothing in common with Kashmir.
Home Minister appreciated the unity shown by different sections of Ladakhi society and assured that he will place aspirations of Ladakh in all appropriate forums for discussion. There will be debate on the issue in the parliament and also outside parliament, he assured the delegation. Later at a press briefing at ITBP Choglamsar Rajnath Singh admitted that there have been no other talks except for single and unanimous demand of UT for Ladakh by all religious, political and social organisations.
Besides political and religious organisations, CEC Leh Dr. Sonam Dawa, MLA Nubra Deldan Namgyal, Former CEC Rigzin Spalbar, former Union Minister P Namgyal, Executive Councillors and Councillors were present among prominent figures.
