Col J P Singh
18 November 2018 will go down in the political history of J&K as a bad day for BJP when its Lok Sabha member, Mr Thupstan Chhewang, the BJP’s big face in Ladakh gave a stunning blow to his own party by questioning credibility of top leaders. It shows that Ladakh is passing through really difficult political phase. Just before this shock, Ladakh defeated BJP in urban local body elections. Both Leh and Kargil dumped BJP. Ladakh is very big in size. But Ladakhis are a smaller community with just one Lok Sabha seat. It is said that nothing thrives there except terraced fields, Buddhism and the belief of hardy people that flutter as high as their prayer flags. Their belief being their strength, they trusted BJP and overwhelmingly voted it to power in Hill Development Council. What went wrong that they had to dump BJP in the ULB elections. It needs no expert to give the answer. Promise of granting Union Territory (UT), made before 2014 general election, obviously not met. Sans damage control, BJP for the time being is out of Ladakh.
To press their demand for the UT, Ladakhis were out on streets on 26 November en-masse while Leh township observed complete Bandh. “We were forcefully kept under Kashmiri rule, which we don’t accept and hence we demand UT to stay with Centre”, said agitating leaders. “Kashmiri leaders sitting in Srinagar cannot decide our fate. Centre must get involved and talk to Ladakhis to know our demands. We will not accept anything less than UT”, they reiterated. They blamed Delhi for pumping liberal funds into Kashmir to please Kashmiris but to no avail and questioned logic of Zojila Tunnel asking for whom is it being made when they do not want to connect with Kashmir. It was a front page news which wouldn’t have gone un-noticed in Delhi. Delhi would have sensed anguish of the people.
Ladakh has been at the mercy of outside dynastic political forces, be it NC, PDP or the Congress. Each played politics and divide and rule with the region. BJP took the status quo for granted. None of their issues were addressed. Hence their popular leader, a BJP man, had to quit but not by not doing damage to the party. After resigning, he shot out a missive to the prime minister which read, “Respected Pradhan Mantri ji, as a local representative my position increasingly became morally and politically untenable with the party and its central leaders exhibiting little concern for implementing the categorical assurances given at the time of 2014 election that demand of the Ladakh region for Union Territory status would be met within six months. We exposed ourselves to the charge of making false promises even on such sentimental issues as the inclusion of Bhoti language in the 8th schedule. I encroached at times even upon your valuable time, and spoke in the national executive meetings reminding our commitment to the region. All pleas fell on deaf ears. The central party leader in-charge of J&K Ram Mahdav and the current state leadership made matters worse by repeatedly rubbing salt into the wounds of Ladakh. Sir, in 2014 and its aftermath you were going around and projecting first time victory of BJP in Ladakh as sign of increasing reach of the party. What could you tell people now?(embarrassing question). I am constrained to give vent to my feelings now in view of the propaganda by state leaders about expressing my desire to quit active politics and opting for spiritual isolation. This is far from truth etc”. It shows none of the demands raised by Ladakhis have been met leaving them red-faced in the manner the Dogras have been left red-faced by denying CBI probe in highly politicised Rassana Case.
Jammu must know that Ladakhis are more proud of their individual and regional identity and united for UT. Their heritage is also very rich and unparalleled. In all Indo-Pak wars, Ladakh’s contributions have been commendable. Col Chewang Rinchen, Bar to MVC and Sena Medal was one of the highest gallantry award winner and highly respected in the army and civil. Col Sonam Wangchok, MVC captured Chorbat La in 1999 with his small Nunoos force. A documentary, ‘Lion of Ladakh’ has been made on him by Bollywood film-makers and released by President RN Kovind. Ladakh has been seeking separation from Kashmir and asking Union Territory (UT) status for the last 60 years but not granted. Reasons are well known and universal. It is Kashmir and its writ. Article 370 and composition of the Legislature enables it. Other important issue is security. It shares borders with both the estranged neighbors, China and Pakistan. Ladakh Plateau is considered as land of peace. Prolonged militancy in the Valley is a matter of their concern. Hill Development Council has limited powers/resources hence not of much use. Ladakhis don’t take admissions in the valley. They feel comfortable in Jammu. Delhi fails to realise their fears. Ladakh bore the brunt of all the Indo-Pak wars worst being the Kargil war. Frequent LoC and LAC violations worry them. Chinese entering border villages frequently is no friendly act or welcome visit. Political agents come down to lure Ladakhis to their side or else harass and even loot them. Chinese grazier come with their herds. Local administration stays far behind. Locals don’t get any support or assurances from the state administration. If Ladakh is brought under central control, their security concerns will be addressed directly by Delhi and that is what they want.
Another blow to the BJP came on Eid day when three Kashmiri political parties, otherwise arch rivals, joined hands to form a coalition govt. It was seen as polarization. Jammu and Ladakh were being marginalised. BJP alleged directions from Pakistan behind the triumvirate. Simultaneously a third front emerged and claimed numbers to from the govt to be led by a Kashmiri.
But the Hon’ble Governor, ignoring similar claims by two fronts, dissolved the Assembly. Coming together of Kashmiri parties is attributable to Delhi’s failure to foresee such possibility. Whatever be the reasons to dissolve Assembly, one point comes out clear ie Kashmiri domination has been exposed and checkmated. Parties boycotting/not participating in elections or a party whose MLAs somehow win from within 10 to 15 percent votes cast in their constituencies, should not ideally form a govt. Can Mehbooba form a representative govt after boycotting local elections and in whose constituency Parliam-entary by-election can’t be held. I feel Governor in his wisdom has done right. What does Ladakh and Jammu do under the circumstances where polling percentages cross 75 percent in every election except asking separation from instable valley where prejudices against other regions abound.
Delhi has failed to set Kashmir right. Radicalisation and militancy are going on unabated. Media gives it lot of coverage. Pandits, who were part and parcel of society, are rendered refugees in their own state. Intolerance in Kashmir is un-retrieval. It is increasing in Ladakh and Jammu also. If Delhi and Srinagar continue to make mockery of the sentiments of Jammu and Ladakh people, they will not have the moral authority to look into their eyes.
This time around Ladakhis are serious to claim their pound of flesh. Resignation of Ladakh MP and follow up agitation is a pointer to where the politics is heading for. Jammu is also claiming its pound of flesh under the banner of Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan. Should Ch. Lal Singh, founder of the Sangathan open his cards and both join hands, the political contours of the J&K may head towards a new horizon. Coming days are crucial. Let us not close our eyes to the events which are unfolding Leh downwards. The trifurcation is one of the solutions to save Jammu and Ladakh from discrimination. Under the circumstances, it is not a big deal, when the regions are themselves moving towards trifurcation.
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
Follow our WhatsApp channel