Some months back there was major a political development in Ladakh. BJP’s Member of Parliament (MP) Mr Thupsan Chhewang resigned not only from Lok Sabha but also from the basic membership of BJP. Mr Chhewang while announcing his resignation said he would pursue “spiritual life” rather than to continue in politics. But, everyone knew why the sitting MP had resigned? When Chhewang won during 2014 general elections from Ladakh Lok Sabha seat it was well presumed that he would be given at least portfolio of a Minister of State (MoS) by PM Modi, because BJP had for the first time won a seat from Ladakh; plus Mr Chhewang belonged to minority Buddhist community. Mr Chhewang and his community waited for 4 long years with the hope that Modi Government would do something good with Ladakhi Buddhists. In fact during 2015 Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC-Leh) elections people of Leh voted in favour of BJP by sending 18 members to the council while as Congress was reduced to a minority with mere 5 councilors. BJP hardly recognized this. Modi Govt didn’t give Ladakh the status of a Union Territory (UT), Ladakh MP was not made Minister at center, and no major development initiative taken, except construction of Zojila tunnel and announcement of University campus in Leh. Zojila tunnel was already approved by Congress led UPA Government many years back. In fact demand for this tunnel was raised more vehemently by people of Kargil than people of Leh, as Kargil is mere 80 kms away from this mountain pass. The indifferent attitude of BJP towards Ladakhi Buddhists led to its debacle in recent Municipal / Panchayat elections. Now in order to gain confidence of Buddhists, BJP from New Delhi is trying to take some cosmetic decisions.
Game-plan
With an aim of consolidating Buddhist votes particularly from Leh, Modi Government decided to give divisional status to Ladakh with headquarters at Leh. This was decided soon after Modi’s recent visit to Leh and Governor administration in J&K executed the plan. The decision has backfired on both Governor & BJP, because Kargil people are on the warpath as they want Divisional Commissioner to work on rotational basis – 6 months in Leh and 6 months in Kargil. ( and as the reports are, they have already succeeded in this) By taking decisions that are political in nature, Governor Satyapal Malik is being criticized by PDP, NC and even Congress. Hurriyat and other social / religious organizations see this a game-plan to divide state on communal lines.
Conclusion
NC & PDP are demanding similar divisional status for Pir Panjal (Rajouri, Poonch) and Chenab regions (Doda, Kishtwar , Reasi and Ramban). People of Ladakh (Muslims and Buddhists) must understand that a conspiracy is being hatched by RSS and its off shoots to divide state on communal lines. Leh and Kargil Hill Councils are empowered enough than the office of Divisional Commissioner. Divisional status is nothing but a lollypop that would enslave both these districts who at present are independent enough to take decisions through their elected councils. Even if Divisional Commissioner works on rotational basis in Kargil and Leh, within a few years people from both the regions will develop a feeling that they are being ruled by an “external agent ” who would definitely interfere in the council matters. It is better to further empower hill councils of Kargil and Leh rather than deputing bureaucrats to rule the remote areas. I would suggest for creation of robust Hill Councils for Chenab valley and Pir Panjal regions rather than bureaucratizing them and sending Divisional Commissioners to rule these areas. I appeal NC and PDP not to make any hasty statements. It is better to discuss and debate on these crucial issues….
Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat is Founder & Chairman of Jammu Kashmir RTI Movement
bhatrajamuzaffar@gmail.com