New Delhi. The dispute between the central government and local organizations has once again deepened over the demand for providing constitutional protection and democratic rights to Ladakh. Famous environmental activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk has seriously accused the Central Government of going back on the promises made to the people of Ladakh. He said that the hopes of the people of Ladakh have once again suffered a setback due to the proposed meeting with the Union Home Ministry not taking place on October 22. According to Wangchuk, the central government is now retreating from the issues on which there was an in-principle agreement between the government and the representatives of Ladakh in May. He also said that China’s pressure on the border is increasing, but the democratic aspirations of the people of Ladakh are not being given adequate attention.
Expressed displeasure over not holding the meeting on October 22
Sonam Wangchuk, while speaking to reporters in New Delhi on Thursday, October 22, expressed displeasure over the proposed meeting with the Union Home Ministry not taking place.
He said that on October 15, talks were held in Leh between representatives of Ladakh and Home Ministry officials. During this, both the parties had shared the drafts of their demands and proposals.
Consensus could not be reached on important issues in the meeting. After this, it was said that talks would be held again in Delhi on 22 October.
According to Wangchuk, on this basis he booked tickets to come to Delhi and planned discussions with other leaders. But the meeting could not be held on the scheduled date.
He described it as disappointing for the expectations of the people of Ladakh.
Allegation of retreating from the agreement made in May
Sonam Wangchuk said that in the meeting held on May 22 between the Central Government and the representatives of Ladakh, an in-principle agreement was reached on many important issues.
According to him, at that time there were positive talks on giving democratic rights to Ladakh and providing special constitutional protection.
The representatives of Ladakh had initially demanded full statehood. After this, talks moved forward on the option of Union Territory with Legislative Assembly and constitutional security.
Wangchuk alleged that the new proposal presented by the Center in October contained provisions different from the understanding reached during the talks in May.
He says that this change has affected the confidence of the people of Ladakh.
Demand for constitutional protection with the Assembly
Organizations in Ladakh have been demanding democratic representation and constitutional protection in the region for a long time.
Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance are among the major organizations leading this movement.
These organizations demand that there should be a system of elected assembly in Ladakh, so that the local people can effectively participate in the decisions related to their development and administration.
Along with this, there is also a demand to implement special constitutional provisions to protect the land, employment, culture and tribal identity of the local people.
Wangchuk made it clear that now no solution will be accepted without assembly and constitutional protection.
Questions were also raised regarding the sixth schedule
Sonam Wangchuk also mentioned the old demand of giving protection to Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
He said that Ladakhis had been assured for a long time that constitutional arrangements would be made to protect their unique identity and rights.
During the talks held in May, special provisions related to Article 371 of the Constitution were discussed as an alternative to the Sixth Schedule.
In particular, the proposal to give protection to Ladakh on the lines of Articles 371A, 371F and 371G was considered.
These constitutional provisions provide special arrangements relating to Nagaland, Sikkim and Mizoram respectively.
However, a final consensus has not been reached regarding how these provisions will be implemented in Ladakh.
The talks on October 15 also remained inconclusive
Important differences had also emerged in the meeting held on October 15 between the central government and representatives of Ladakh.
Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance had expressed disagreement over the draft proposal presented by the Centre.
The organizations said that the proposal did not include many important issues related to local assembly and administrative rights as per their expectations.
Wangchuk had also expressed his displeasure over the proposal. He said that there was not a small but a huge difference between the thinking of the government and the representatives of Ladakh.
The next meeting was proposed to resolve this difference.
Expressed concern by mentioning China’s activities
Referring to the strategic location of Ladakh, Sonam Wangchuk appealed to the Central Government to understand the sentiments of the local people.
He said that Ladakh is an important border area of India, where there is a concern about constant pressure from China.
Wangchuk opposed China’s territorial claims and said that the people of Ladakh stand firmly with India.
He argues that maintaining people’s trust in such a sensitive border area is also important in the national interest.
He said that respecting democratic rights and local aspirations will strengthen the border areas.
Central government also presented its side
The Union Territory administration had put forward the government’s stand after the organizations of Ladakh rejected the proposal.
The administration said that the central government
