Srinagar, Mar 20: The Kargil district of Ladakh observed a half-day strike on Wednesday to press for demands of statehood and implementation of the Sixth schedule.
While the business establishments remained closed across Kargil, a protest demonstration was also held by the residents in support of their demands.
In several videos on social media, the protesters in Kargil were seen shouting slogans ‘Save Ladakh, Restore Democracy' and ‘Ladakh wants Statehood and Sixth Schedule'.
The call for the shutdown was given by Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which is leading a joint fight with Apex Body of Leh (ABL) for constitutional safeguards for Ladakh.
The protesters in Kargil also expressed solidarity with Ladakh's climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a fast in Leh for over two weeks in support of statehood and implementation of the Sixth schedule of the Constitution in Ladakh.
On Day 15 of his hunger strike, Wangchuk in a post on X said, “I am still fine surviving on just water & salts. Along with me 125 people slept hungry outdoors under clear skies. Temperature: minus 11 degree Celsius. Let us understand that saving Ladakh's glaciers is not just a concern for the people of Ladakh alone…”
Meanwhile, CPI(M) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami on Wednesday urged the central government to heed the voices and address the grievances of people of Ladakah, who are seeking constitutional safeguards.
He said that people in Jammu and Kashmir stand in solidarity with Ladakh.
In a statement, Tarigami said they never desired for Ladakh to be separated from the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Yet, it happened abruptly against our wishes. While a faction of society in Leh were demanding Union Territory status for Ladakh and celebrated it later, they now acknowledge the drawbacks and express a preference for constitutional guarantees for their empowerment,” the CPI(M) leader said.
“Today, there is a unified call for constitutional guarantees under the Sixth schedule. We share a common history and concerns for Ladakh, resonating deeply with the aspirations of its people. It is imperative for the government of India to heed their voices and address their grievances promptly,” he said.
He said the charter of demands of ABL and KDA include safeguards under the Sixth schedule, a constitutional provision safeguarding tribal culture as 90 per cent of the population in this region is tribal.
“We urge the Government of India to recognise that these artificial lines cannot divide us, and the arbitrary divisions imposed on August 5, 2019, cannot fracture our unity,” he added.
