As Old as the Hills

Ladakh's long-standing demand for Sixth Schedule status and statehood has reached a tipping point

- Naseer Ganai

ON February 3, the Polo Ground in Leh emerged as the heart of Ladakh’s long struggle to preserve its tribal identity. From the farthest reaches of the icy desert, Ladakhis assembled on the vast ground to lend their voices to the cause. In a sea of banners declaring “Ladakh Demands Sixth Schedule” and “Ladakh Demands Statehood”, the protests drew focus on the region, which often remains in the news for the India-China conflict along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Just on January 30, a group of shepherds in the remote Nyoma village in eastern Ladakh stood firm against Chinese soldiers who were trying to prevent them from grazing their sheep near the LAC. This confrontation indicates the growing impatience of Ladakhis who have been denied access to grazing land since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. Despite facing at least three Chinese armoured vehicles and several soldiers, the shepherds’ defiance earned them widespread acclaim across India.

Inside the region, Ladakhi leaders have deep-seated fears of marginalisation by powerful corporate interests and a possible influx of the mainland population. With the loss of the protective cover of Article 370, which safeguarded its land and people, Ladakh now faces an uncertain future, overshadowed by concerns of exploitation and demographic shifts.

In these protests dotting the region for the past few years, a prominent figure, Sonam Wangchuk—known nationwide for his innovative spirit and for being the inspiration behind the film, 3 Idiots—has come to the forefront.