Why Ladakh is likely to go ahead with March 16 protest despite the release of Sonam Wangchuk

The civil society groups in Ladakh had announced the protest on March 10 over several demands, including Statehood. File | Photo Credit: AP

• Ladakh constitutional safeguards protest to go ahead as planned
• Sonam Wangchuk released, but civil groups continue agitation
• Key demands: statehood, Sixth Schedule, MPs for Leh and Kargil

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A protest planned for Monday demanding constitutional safeguards for Ladakh is most likely to take place even after  the release of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from detention.

Civil society groups in the Union Territory, who are also engaged in dialogue with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, reportedly said that the protest should be seen as an articulation of their key demands from the Centre.

Since the bifurcation of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories — Ladakh and J&K — Ladakh has been agitating for greater democratic representation as well as protections for its environment and culture

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), the two groups representing the Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh, had announced the protest on March 10 to draw the Centre's attention towards their demands.

Their demands include Statehood, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution (tribal status), a Member of Parliament each for Leh and Kargil, and filling of existing government vacancies.

The Union government has revoked the detention of activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA), nearly six months after his arrest amid the Ladakh movement seeking statehood and protections under the Sixth Schedule.

Wangchuk was detained on September 26 for allegedly instigating the violent protests in Ladakh on September 24 in which four people were killed in police firing.

Why is Ladakh protesting?

Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory in 2019 after the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir. The other UT in the erstwhile state is Jammu and Kashmir. Ladakh has no assembly, unlike Jammu and Kashmir.

At the time, many, including Sonam Wangchuk, welcomed the UT status for Ladakh. But within few months, concerns emerged over what residents described as a political vacuum under the administration of the Lieutenant Governor.

This precisely because Ladakh was without a legislature, placing the region under direct central rule. Jammu and Kashmir, the other UT, was also without an elected government until last year when elections were held and a government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was sworn in.