LEH: Asserting that the demand for Ladakh’s inclusion into the 6th schedule of Constitution is untenable, LAHDC Leh chief Advocate Tashi Gyalson has urged the Apex Body Leh and opposition parties to come together and find a solution for the interest of Union Territory and future of its people.
In a freewheeling discussion with Indus Dispatch, Mr Gyalson, who is the Chief Executive Councillor/ Chairman, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, said that the council and BJP, both stand with the people of Ladakh, who will ‘very soon’ get the safeguards for the protection of their land, trade, jobs, environment and culture.
However, the 6th schedule is not practical for people of Ladakh, said Advocate Gyalson, alleging that some leaders are demanding the same to gain political mileage.
“(The grant of) Union Territory was our core demand and we are fortunate that we were granted the Union Territory status and it is now our responsibility to strengthen it. India is a democracy and everyone has the right to demand for what they want. But responsible people should project responsible things before the people. What you are demanding, it should be right for the people and their future. This (6th Schedule) is not right for Ladakh and its future,” said the CEC in an exclusive interview with Indus Dispatch.
“Ladakh is not like other tribal areas. It is a progressive tribal area, having great strategic importance. The 6th schedule is not feasible and practical for Ladakh and its people. It is untenable and if granted, it can make people of Ladakh more alienated,” said Mr Gyalson.
When asked if the demand for 6th schedule has some weight in terms of public support, the CEC said that there was no common consensus for 6th schedule demand and people of Ladakh are heavily divided in this.
“People don’t support this demand. It is only some political parties and political persons who are trying to project that this (6th schedule) is the only safeguard available to protect Ladakh. This is not true and they are projecting wrong things to people of Ladakh. Their demand is politically motivated and is not appropriate at this time. The Central government has given everything to Ladakh, all our demands are getting fulfilled. But the demand should be the right demand,” he added.
When asked if BJP is supportive of this demand, Mr Gyalson said: “BJP is not in favour of this, for sure. Personally, I find a number of loopholes in this. The BJP in Ladakh finds it non-practical for the people of Ladakh.”
He asserted that the LAHDC Leh and the BJP were with the people of Ladakh.
“We are all for Ladakh and the people of Ladakh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is with the people of Ladakh. We recently passed the resolution demanding constitutional safeguards for the protection of the land, trade, jobs, environment and culture of Ladakh and I am sure the Central government will grant them soon,” he said.
The CEC said that those demanding 6th schedule are also aware that their demand is impractical and cannot be fulfilled.
“They are only trying to gain political mileage. This is their political plan at the cost of Ladakh. Some of them might be having some political ambition for 2024, but I want to appeal to them that at this crucial juncture, please don’t play politics. Let’s come together and build a good foundation for UT of Ladakh,” he said.
Mr Gyalson said that those in opposition have also made contributions to Ladakh’s progress in their own way.
“Those leaders have made significant contributions in making Ladakh what it is today. But it is now time that they leave the politics aside and for the sake of Ladakh and its future, come together and find a solution,” he added.
