JK News Today News Analysis
The violence in the land of monasteries is most unfortunate. The violent clashes and the resultant casualties has not helped anyone’s cause, but only damaged the image of Ladakh as a land of peace and peaceful people.
It is not immediately known as to what triggered the clashes. There are always rival versions of such situations; therefore it is important to probe the turn of events in most professional and objective manner. This assurance is a necessity to defuse the situation; as if it is left unaddressed it will have long-term simmering effect. The mischief mongers have already started running high-speed rumour-mill.
Pelting police vehicles and attempts to torch the paramilitary forces’ vehicles and clashes is not an ordinary disturbance of law and order situation . It is reflection of a particular mindset at work that seeks to disturb peace of Ladakh and cause problems for the security and stability of the region . They know that this can have ripple effect , therefore the violence is not spontaneous . It appears that some hostile forces were working behind it.
Whatever happened on Wednesday is a black dot as the Ministry of Home Affairs was already engaged with the leadership of the Ladakh region. Some of the key issues of employment to local youth and preservation of their rights and culture, environment had been addressed to the satisfaction of the population, including the leaders on the frontline seeking solution to other problems.
The leadership agitating for the grant of statehood and sixth schedule was due to meet the Central leadership on October 6, barely 11 days from September 24 when all the hell let loose in Lehn. The dialogue backed by convincing arguments could have made leadership more relevant. Today’s violence has also raised a question on their importance and relevance – if they are unable to control the tempers of their supporters this is a reflection on the quality of the leadership.
The leaders through their hunger strikes, and other methods of protest-rallies, marches and sit-ins- were trying to present a case of genuineness of their demands. Peaceful protests are fundamental right of Indian citizens, and the residents of no exception to that rule. They were blessed with an opportunity to put across their point of view across the table on October 6, and then what could have been the reason for them to flare the passions resulting in most unfortunate violence.
Leh and violence don’t go together. Clashes and violence also don’t gel with the peaceful people of the region which is known for its strategic importance and relevance to the national security of the country. The region has always walked lockstep with the Indian army from 1947 till Operation Sindoor of 2025. The army and the people enjoy mutual trust. Their peace is great asset.
One thing, they should have appreciated that it is the Modi government that had granted them UT status in 2019, for which they had been demanding over the decades. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had piloted the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act which fulfilled their generations-long demand. They had celebrated the announcement and subsequent creation of the UT too.
Home Minister had made it clear that the UT of Ladakh will have no legislative body. It will be governed by the Centre as the leadership of Ladakh particularly that of Leh Buddhists had been demanding. Leh and Kargil districts had their respective autonomous hill councils with substantial powers . The hill councils had worked hard and transformed the landscape . They had direct access to each and everything .
Leh is a very sensitive region , home to Himalayan glaciers , fragile ecology and unique geography , having borders with Pakistan, POK and China . The people know the sensitivities and how these play out in the national interest.
Peace alone will deliver results , violence is no option.
