SKM Extends Full- fledged Support to the Struggle of Ladakh People for Democratic Rights
16th October, 2024, New Delhi
The Struggle Exposes the NDA Government’s Policy of Centralisation of Power and Violation of Federal Rights Enshrined in the Constitution
SKM General Body held at Surjeet Bhawan on 16th October and adopted a resolution to extend full fledged support to the struggle of activists from Ladakh for their genuine democratic rights. The leadership of SKM have today visited activist Sonam Wangchuk and others on hunger strike at Ladakh Bhawan, New Delhi and extended solidarity and support to their struggle.
The people of Ladakh are protesting for four key demands that include statehood and implementation of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in the region that guarantees protection for land and a nominal autonomy for the tribal areas.
The protesters also seek separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts, a recruitment process and a separate Public Service Commission for Ladakh.
The protesters claim that the Union Territory tag has made Ladakh vulnerable to exploitation of the natural resources which could devastate the fragile ecosystem of the Himalayan region.
Since Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood was dismantled, Ladakh has been treated like a colony, with outside bureaucrats controlling policies in the ecologically sensitive region. This has sparked massive protests, highlighting the failure of the BJP’s policy of centralizing power under corporate-bureaucratic control, which undermines India’s federal principles.
The people of Ladakh fear that UT status without constitutional safeguards is leading to unsustainable development. Unregulated tourism, corporate ventures, and mining threaten the delicate balance of their livelihoods and worsen glacial loss, impacting millions dependent on Ladakh’s waters. Corporate giants are eyeing the region for business, with projects like an airport for 2 million visitors (far exceeding the local population) and a 20,000-acre solar project in the fragile Changthang pastures, vital for pastoralists and wildlife.
SKM appeals to the people across India to extend solidarity and support to the democratic struggle of the people of Ladakh and to rise against the corporate–bureaucratic dictated Modi-Shah Government that is dangerous to democracy.
SKM Leadership visited the activists from Ladakh on hunger strike include among others P Krishnaprasad, Ashish Mittal, Prem Singh Gehlavat, Satyawan, Indrajit Singh, Sidagouda Modagi, Avtar Singh Mehma, Ashok Baita, Vimal Trivedi, Gurmeet Singh, Dheeraj Gabe and Balbir Singh Master.
