Known for peace, Ladakh at crossroads amid violence and arson

It is extremely rare that the residents resort to violence in Ladakh, either in Buddhist-majority Leh district or Muslim-dominated Kargil district

- AJAY KAUL

The violence and arson witnessed in Leh, the capital of Union Territory of Ladakh, on September 24 is shocking and worrying since the mountain-locked and strategically-located region is known for peace and peace-loving people.

It is extremely rare that the residents resort to violence in Ladakh, either in Buddhist-majority Leh district or Muslim-dominated Kargil district.

‘The last time the region saw such violence was in 1989 when anger was ventured against Kashmiris visiting Ladakh.

At that time, Ladakh was then one of the 3 Divisions of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir State. It was separated and granted Union Territory status in August 2019.

Although the agitation of 1989 was publicly for the demand of Union Territory Status, the underlying provocation was the anger among Ladakhis against Srinagar-based State government and Kashmiri Muslims visiting the region for trade, jobs or some other task, like taxi drivers ferrying tourists.

Tt was alleged that Kashmiri Muslim men, visiting Ladakh for some work or even without work, would brainwash innocent young Ladakhi girls, “elope” with them and convert them to Islam.

‘Therefore, much of the violence at that time was directed against Kashmiri taxi drivers and vegetable/fruit sellers, forcing them to flee Ladakh.

Given this excuse, along with the feeling of Ladakh being neglected by the state government based in Srinagar and Jammu in terms of resources, the people of the region forcefully amplified the decades-old demand for separation from Jammu and Kashmir state and grant of Union Territory status to be ruled directly by the Central govt.

Although the demand for separation from Jammu and Kashmir dated back to 1950s, the timing of 1989 was significant as terrorism, with Islamic overtones, had taken roots in the Kashmir Valley.