Many questions on protests in Ladakh

The arrest of Sonam Wangchuk brings to an end the sordid drama of violence in Ladakh.

- HARSHA KAKAR

Violence erupted in Ladakh on 24 September as some who were involved in the Sonam Wangchuk-led hunger strike were shifted to hospital. Wangchuk, the face behind the upsurge, termed the violence as ‘Gen Z’ protests, linking them to recent incidents in Nepal which overthrew the Oli government. Soman had earlier threatened to initiate the Arab Spring in Ladakh.

The protests, the most violent in 70 years, left four dead and 90 injured. A couple of months ago, Wangchuk released a video encouraging self-immolation. He even sought likely venues for self-immolation, suggesting the Home Minister’s residence, Parliament and the UN office in Delhi as possible options.

Burning of the Leh office of the BJP alongside other government institutions was Sonam’s message of his power to initiate violence at will. Protests in Ladakh increased post his visit to Pakistan for a climate conference in February this year. The possibility of a foreign link behind the agitation needs investigation.

The current violence was appropriately timed. First, it impacts ongoing dialogue between the government and two major Ladakhi organizations, the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance. The next round of official talks is scheduled for 6 October and informal ones were to have been on 25 September, but were postponed.

A resolution was on the cards, but a solution satisfying the majority could damage Sonam’s control. The talks had already given results. Reservations for Ladakh scheduled tribes has increased to 84 per cent from 45 percent. One-third reservations for women in councils has been accepted. With these agreements, recruitments for 1,800 posts had commenced. Other subjects would also be handled.