The year after 5th August 2019 - Perspectives from Ladakh

While we discuss the constitutional changes made to Jammu & Kashmir on 5^th August 2019, we often tend to forget about Ladakh – which was carved out as a separate Union Territory. In this post, Nasima Abida and Stanzin Chosdon, two students who are natives of Ladakh, share their thoughts on what they feel about the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, and the conversion of Ladakh into a separate Union Territory (UT).

Nasima Abida, who is currently pursuing law at GNLU Gandhinagar, shares her account of what she feels about the constitutional changes made last year:

“Initially, there were mixed reactions from the people with regard to the grant of a UT status - since this had been a long-standing demand of certain sections. But, within a short period of time, disappointment could be sensed among the people as the UT of Ladakh was not granted a Legislature. One year after Ladakh was envisaged as a UT, all the enthusiasm and anger has now dissolved into anguish of a bleak Ladakhi future. The unilateral declaration of Ladakh as a UT without Legislature, sans any discussion and deliberation with the locals has made them feel jettisoned.

The control of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council - which is responsible for governance at the grassroots level - has been subverted and sidelined by the UT Administration. The UT Administration now reports only to the Lieutenant Governor and the Home Ministry. The districts of Leh and Kargil have a separate Autonomous Hill Development Council. Earlier, these two councils enjoyed independence in financial matters to an extent, and now that power has been transferred to the Centre and the UT administration directly.

Apprehensions prevail among the Ladakhi youth for job security and employment. We think that the tall promises made while creating the UT have not been accomplished. Rather, it has dismayed the people, especially the Ladakhi youth, as there are limited job opportunities. For precisely this reason, there are demands being made for the creation of a separate Public Service Commission for Ladakh.

We, as Ladakhis, fear the outsourcing of employees from outside Ladakh - without incorporating sufficient safeguards for local employees. In May this year, around 100 doctors were recruited from outside Ladakh - even though these posts could be absorbed by the local doctors. Many outsiders did not join their posts, owing to which the Government had to re-issue a notification.

Furthermore, unplanned infrastructure development is severely affecting the fragile environment of Ladakh - which we cannot afford in the long run. Increase in population and urbanization are bound to happen - but this may be at the cost of Ladakh’s ecosystem. Some senior BJP leaders along with the Ladakh BJP President have resigned, as there is no room for members of the Hill Council and other public representatives to function.

Ladakhis are facing uncertainty and vulnerability in terms of constitutional safeguards. We have apprehensions with regard to job security, political representation, domicile protections, and safeguards with respect to land”.

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Stanzin Chosdon, a 2^nd year student at Delhi University, tends to agree, and shares her account below:

“It has been exactly a year since the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A - which stripped off the erstwhile State of J&K of all the special powers bestowed during J & K’s accession to India. A majority of people in Ladakh wholeheartedly welcomed the creation of a separate Union Territory. This is because we have always been less of a priority when it comes to allotment of aid, and have often been sidelined.

Personally, the news shook me to my core. I couldn’t stop myself but ponder over the disastrous consequences in the near future. After the changes made on 5^th August, land would be accessible to residents all over India, who can now purchase the land from locals.  A fragile ecosystem like Ladakh can in no way sustain and cater to a large population, if there is an influx of people from outside Ladakh.

Along with this, water shortage has always been an issue in this region. It poses a great threat to the indigenous people, and to our culture and heritage. Unlike the Union Territory of J & K, Ladakh does not have a separate Legislature. There is hence no way through which we can have our own elected representatives, who can voice our concerns.  Nobody but a person who belongs to this region can represent the people righteously and justifiably. As we don’t have a voice before the Legislature now, nobody can empathize with our needs, and give voice and credence to our opinions.

We, the people of Ladakh were promised job opportunities and elevation of Ladakh to ‘new heights of economic development’. But sadly, they couldn’t deliver on their promises. Until now, I have not witnessed any constructive change as such, post 5^th August 2019. Due to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March, this may be too short a timeframe.  But, let us hope our voice is heard and our concerns are taken on board”.

As Nasima and Stanzin’s account shows us, the people of Ladakh have several unaddressed concerns, which range from safeguarding jobs for locals, to maintaining the delicate ecological balance of the region. The absence of a Legislature, and the crippling of the autonomy of the Hill Development Councils has made it extremely difficult for the residents to voice their concerns.

After a new domicile reservation policy was notified for J & K, demands were also made for a similar policy in Ladakh – which would safeguard jobs for locals. Despite multiple demands, no such policy has been notified till date. This serves as an epitome of how Ladakh has now been placed solely at the Home Ministry’s mercy. In this time of anxiety and apprehension, let us hope that along with the Jammu and Kashmir regions, the voice of Ladakh is also heard – loud and clear.