Editor JK News Today
News Analysis
Saying no or delaying dialogue with Centre-appointed High-Powered Committee will serve no purpose, Ladakh leadership comprising Apex Body Leh, and Kargil Democratic Alliance and others should understand it. It will be in the interest of the people that dialogue continues without any interruption and disruption. Holding dialogue is democratic and it lays out path of progress and welfare of the communities. Anything contrary to that will hurt the interests of people, and vested interests in love with disruptions will rejoice.
Despite what happened on September 24 when there were serious acts of violence, resulting in loss of four lives, and injury to dozens of others, some of whom are still under treatment in hospitals, the Centre has not shut its doors for dialogue with the ABL and KDA. In fact, the Centre has renewed its commitment to keep open the dialogue to address the issues that are troubling the Ladakh leadership.
The Centre on Monday evening came out with a very positive and futuristic statement, reiterating its undiluted commitment to the talks. This statement, read in its proper perspective offers a pragmatic roadmap, based on the progress made in the previous rounds of dialogue between the HPC and Ladakh’s leadership.
It was reiterated with clarity by the Government that it is for dialogue all the way and at any time. There could not been no better assurance than this. The Ladakh leadership can benefit if it heeds the call and understands its true meaning and sincerity.
“The Government has always been open for dialogues on Ladakh matters with Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) at any time. We would continue to welcome the discussion with ABL and KDA through the HPC on Ladakh or any such platform.” The essence of the message is clear that the Centre has kept all its doors open for dialogue and there is not even a single mention of any condition.
That means, in the realistic terms, that the Centre is all ears to whatever the Ladakh leaders want to say .The ABL and KDA are seeking statehood and inclusion of Ladakh into Sixth Schedule are the issues which demand lot of communication and deliberations. This is not something which can be discussed and decided overnight. There is a need for sustained dialogue, and that is what the Government is saying.
The facts are already there for all to see. The Government while recalling the gains made in the previous rounds of dialogue reminded the leadership of ABL and KDA that the “dialogue mechanism established with them through the High Powered Committee (HPC) on Ladakh has yielded good results till date in the form of increased reservations to the Scheduled Tribes of Ladakh, – providing women reservation in LAHDCs and protection to local languages. The process of recruitment for 1800 posts in government has already commenced in UT of Ladakh. “
It also expressed the confidence that the “continuous dialogue would yield the desired results in near future. “
As of today, there are two major points which should be considered and addressed in detail before rushing to any conclusion. First, all the hunger strike and the protests were seeking an early dialogue. The dialogue is a process, and all the issues can neither be settled nor outcome pronounced before approaching the talks table. A meeting between APL –KDA combine with the Centre was scheduled for October 6. This was the time for the leaders to do their home work, refresh notes and arguments to make their case better than it was. Instead, the violence on September 24 put a halt to their own homework; this is what happens when the distractions are allowed to temper the real work.
Even if some new points have emerged after the unfortunate incidents of September 24, those too can be discussed, debated and attempts made to address them through dialogue.
