Govind TekaleSonam Wangchuk led a long march from Leh to Delhi starting on 1 September 24. Currently, Marching for almost a month, The Ladakhis demand full statehood and other benefits. Although, Ladakh’s 2 districts – Leh and Kargil have already been further divided into 5 districts, thus further decentralizing the local administration, this has not satisfied the agitating Ladakhis led by Magsaysay award winner Sonam Wangchuk.
Article 370’s removal gave Ladakh the Status of Union Territory. It created the post of a Lieutenant Governor to administer the union territory of Ladakh. Brigadier (Dr.) Bal Dutt Mishra is a retired officer of the Indian Army, and presently Lieutenant governor of Ladakh. Now, The main demands of this region are statehood for Ladakh, a tribal status under the sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution, and Administrative autonomy within a state. More than 100 volunteers joined hands in this month-long march of Ladakhis led by Sonam Wangchuk, a renowned innovator and climate activist, are about to reach Delhi.
The ‘ Delhi Chalo Padayatra ‘ organized by Leh Apex Body ( LAB ) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance ( KDA ) supports statehood, extension of the Sixth Schedule, early recruitment process along with a Public Service Commission for Ladakh and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts. The long march was expected to reach Delhi by October 2, the Gandhi Jayanti Day. It reminds me of Acharya Cinoba Bhave ‘a Bhudan padayatra, as it is peaceful, Wangchuk said quoting, ” This is Ladakh’s peaceful expedition which will continue to be so”. The long march has received a spontaneous response from the people. A 90-year-old Ladakhi citizen, who lives in Switzerland, is ready to to join the Ladakhi activists in Delhi.
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Ladoll Rapper, a student based in Leh sings protest songs. Some of the lines of the song are as follows: ” Listen to the voice of Ladakh, my countrymen. How’s this government when one cannot even speak? We aren’t just blabbering. Our home is at risk.”
At present There is only one Member of Lok Sabha from Ladakh named Mohamed Haneefa of the Indian National Congress. However, Ladakh is the biggest Lok Sabha constituency with an area of 173, 266 Sq Km. The late Prof Balraj Madhok, a member of Janata Dal, hailing from Ladakh also advocated more benefits for the people of Ladakh.
In All, the month-long march of Ladakhi activists led by Sonam Wangchuk was elated to reach Delhi on Gandhi Jayanti but Sonum Wangchuk with other volunteers got detained on reaching the capital. Therefore, the future remains uncertain to meet the demands of this strategic area.
