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| Hunger strike begins in Kargil; Leh Buddhist leaders stay away | | |  Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 10: A three-day hunger strike demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh began in Kargil on Saturday, spearheaded jointly by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and the Leh Apex Body (LAB). However, the absence of prominent Buddhist leaders from Leh on the first day of the protest raised concerns about the perceived unity of the movement.
The agitation, held at Hussaini Park, is being staged in support of four key demands: granting statehood to Ladakh, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, separate Lok Sabha constituencies for Leh and Kargil, and the establishment of a Public Service Commission for the Union Territory.
While the KDA claimed to have the support of all groups from Leh, Buddhist organizations had earlier urged the alliance to defer any major programmes until after the conclusion of the Dalai Lama's visit to the region.
A banner at the hunger strike site read, “Together, we can build a future where Ladakh governs Ladakh,” underscoring the protesters' core demands.
Protesters held placards with slogans such as "End colonial treatment," "Restore democracy," and "Statehood – Sixth Schedule – Strong Ladakh," as they marked the beginning of the coordinated demonstration.
KDA Co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai, addressing the gathering, said the hunger strike is the latest step in their ongoing struggle, which has included strikes, marches, and negotiations over the past four years.
“Our most basic demands—statehood and the Sixth Schedule—have never seen serious discussion. The last meeting we had in May with Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai and the Home Secretary ended with assurances that talks would begin the following month. But nothing has happened,” Karbalai said.
He accused the Centre of deliberately delaying the process and said the hunger strike was a result of growing frustration among the people.
“We had faith in dialogue, and we still do. But they are now compelling us to intensify our agitation. If the government fails to respond, the agitation will escalate,” he warned.
Karbalai added that the core committee of KDA and LAB would soon meet to chart the next phase of the protest, stating that “the entire Ladakh is ready.”
Another senior KDA leader, Sajjad Kargili, echoed Karbalai’s concerns and criticized the government for not keeping its promise to hold the next round of talks.
“Once again, we are protesting peacefully and democratically. This colonial treatment must end, and democracy must be restored in Ladakh,” he said.
Kargili reiterated that the demand for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule had been promised by the government and must be fulfilled at the earliest. |
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