Harsha Kakar
A day after violence in Ladakh, the government dispatched a special envoy to the region, while a team of six negotiators including three each from Leh and Kargil flew to Delhi for talks. Thupstan Chhewang, the Chairman of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), stated, ‘An official of the Centre has come and the signal we are getting is that they are ready to start the talks immediately.’ The government intent is to send a message that violence will not stall talks as Wangchuk had desired and the government is serious in addressing genuine demands of the people.
Sonam Wangchuk, the face behind the protests in Ladakh, had in Jul this year edged out Chhewang from the Chairmanship of the LAB, in a similar manner as Kejriwal edged out Anna Hazare, after exploiting his hunger protests to form his own political party as against the wishes of an apolitical Hazare. Chhewang, similarly apolitical as Hazare, had mentioned that his reason for resigning was to stay away from ‘electoral politics and partisan affiliations.’
Simultaneously, the government is acting against Wangchuk and others behind the protests. The cause of protests is claimed to be delay in grant of statehood and the sixth schedule, which are subjects already under discussion in ongoing talks between the centre, LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). Most other issues have already been addressed. Simultaneously, there was no violence in Kargil, except a silent bandh to support Leh protests.
Both the LAB and KDA were once adversaries but have now joined hands to discuss aspects pertaining to Ladakh. This itself is an indicator that these subjects’merit attention. The government by engaging with both parties is sending the message that it does not favour one versus the other. It will also keep Sonam Wangchuk away from being the person who pushed the centre into accepting the demands.
The government, in retaliation to the violence has begun cracking down on foreign funding and those who instigated the violence.As a first step it has cancelled the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence for Wangchuk’s Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh. Another Wangchuk establishment, the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh, is facing a CBI enquiry for alleged FCRA irregularities. The message being given by the government is that it suspects foreign funding was behind the protests.
Instigating violence is a means of displaying power and this is exactly what Wangchuk has been doing, aiming to project a larger-than-life image of himself. Further, display of power shifts media attention away from investigations into corruption within institutions established by Wangchuk. Politically, as is the norm, opposition parties, including those in J and K displayed solidarity with the protestors and blamed the government for not acting.
Ladakh has always been a peaceful region and there have been no protests for over 70 years despite J and K governments ignoring development in the region. Ladakhi soldiers have earned repute for their courage in various operations in the region. The people of the region have always stood by India in all conflicts. For Ladakh to implode there has to be a major cause or its people instigated. Speeches by Wangchuk and a few of his close allies have been provocative and threatening the Indian government.
The sensitivity of Ladakh is well known. It is a region which borders two major adversaries, both of whom would willingly support violence. The impact on national security is immense. Security forces and local residents have a close understanding. They have assisted one another whenever the need arises. Hence, the government jumped in to discuss their grievances.
New Delhi cannot accept terms and conditions as demanded by Wangchuk blindly. The demands, including statehood and inclusion into the sixthschedule will have to be modified to meet conditions prevailing in Ladakh as also those of governance. Hence the need for dialogue.
The sixth schedule was designed for North Eastern states. It cannot be implemented for Ladakh in its current form. The government, constructing roads and other infrastructure for defence, needs to control environmental clearances rather than being held hostage to power of tribal bodies.
Similarly, unless J and K is given statehood, Ladakh cannot be granted. Also, there are other options as currently with J and K. Rushing is never a solution. This is well known to those behind the protests.It appears the aim is to blame and pressurize the government into acting while giving credit to Wangchuk.
At the same time the government must understand that it needs to meet aspirations of people of the region. It cannot continue talks for eternity. It must ignore those who seek a greater role in dialogue by displaying their power to instigate violence, like Sonam Wangchuk and interact with saner voices such as Chhewang. It is a welcome step that members of both LAB and KDA have moved to Delhi for talks as also that the government has sent interlocutors to the region.
While acting against the instigators and those involved in violent protests, the innocent must not be prosecuted as it would only add to anger. Investigating foreign hands in funding institutions in sensitive Ladakh needs to be done. The region needs peace and stability as its economy depends on tourism which is the first to suffer when violence breaks out. Ladakhis are our people and must be treated as such.
It is hoped that the violence which erupted remains a one-off incident and peace prevails in the future. Members of the KDA and LAB must send out a message of patience as also of the government’s intent in finding a solution.
The author is Major General (Retd)
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