Leh: Asserting that the political and cultural identity of Ladakh region has finally been secured with formation of the Union Territory, the Member of Parliament from the region Jamyang Tsering Namgyal said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership all aspirations shall be honoured in a timely manner.
He said the Union Territory is realisation of a long pending demand and it’s current administrative set up needs more time to organise and settle down properly. The demands for statehood and legislature are there and fulfillment of such demands will be at an appropriate time.
Everyone must realize that August 5, 2019 was a historic moment for Ladakh. A new system has emerged which is taking its due time to shape up. The government under Prime Minister Modi is sensitive to the demands of Ladakh and more steps will be taken in interest of people at right opportunities.
In an Exclusive conversation with Indus Dispatch, Member of Parliament, Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal shared insights about sentiments of people after Ladakh became UT and vision of the government.
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How do you describe the prevailing political sentiments three years later?
Happiness of our people cannot be described in words when on August 5, 2019, Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced Jammu and Kashmir reorganisation Act 2019, which was passed in both houses, following which erstwhile state Jammu and Kashmir bifurcated and Ladakh become separate Union Territory. Our existence got a much awaited new identity on October 31, 2019, when the Union Territory took formal shape. The people of Ladakh, including religious leaders, had demanded direct link between Delhi and Ladakh, not through Jammu or Srinagar.
They advised for separate Union territory and the same was achieved under leadership of PM Narendra Modi. The decision has spread happiness among people, which cannot be described in words. After a long struggle, we have secured cultural, political identity as well as developmental needs.
This was biggest dream of people as earlier it was believed that leaders were adding the demand in election manifesto just to gain political mileage. The achievement of Union Territory, I am sure, will keep the Ladakhi people happy for another 200 years.
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But there are some concerns also?
Well, people have some apprehensions following liberal flow of funds as well as sudden change in administration. This is human nature; the people have apprehension whenever they receive something new. As I said, it is a new system and it will take some more time for everyone to get familiar.
What is the kind of relationship with new system?
See, earlier, we had to visit Srinagar or Jammu for every petty official works, to meet Secretaries and even the Divisional Commissioner. And many times, we had to return with disappointment. Now, after the formation of Union Territory, a full-fledged government is here. All officers are here. There is localized planning and development. Senior officers attend to people’s grievances patiently.
There are some genuine apprehensions also about involvement of people in decision-making process but fabricated apprehensions cause more troubles.
The Opposition triggers political worries. They spread messages that everything will be snatched from people. Advises, suggestion to make UT government more people centric are welcomed but if they reject UT, it means they have befooled masses during their political career.
I must assure everyone that the Home Minister Amit Shah personally monitors the Ladakh affairs, very minutely. He has chaired several meetings. More measures are being contemplated in the interest of people.
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What role are you playing to build confidence?
See, in the first place, there is no confrontation, as being made out. People are raising issues and Centre giving patience hearing. There is no confrontation. Before the Center transformed Ladakah as a Union Territory there were doubts on our existence. We were in confrontation earlier and after Ladakh become Union Territory, 99 percent of apprehensions were eliminated and there is no reason for conformation.
There are issues, such as unemployment, but these issues are not unique to Ladakh. In Ladakh, we have fewer resources, and people want local will get jobs as well as bread & butter while they are against outsiders to grab this opportunity. These are some genuine sentiments.
People are also concerned about environment and they are sensitive about the fragile eco-system of Ladakh. Across the globe people are getting protective of environment. They don’t want floods like in Kashmir in 2014 or in Pakistan recently.
These are genuine demands and make no question of confrontation with Centre. Even the centre wants to protection of environment as well as culture that’s why PM Modi has formulated plans for Atam Nirbhar, vocal for local.
If some local parties are using such words like confrontation then they are struggling with their existence, spreading rumours that BJP will spoil the Ladakh. People understand the work done by BJP for the wellbeing people and protect Ladakh.
How do you view demand for UT with legislature?
I don’t deny that there is no demand. People are asking for UT with legislature or full statehood. But as I said earlier, everything has an appropriate time. It took 70 years to get the UT. It will not take another 70 years for realization of other demand. People should wait with patience for an appropriate opportunity.
It is very recently that we got the Union Territory. Allow the system to get established well. Let us deal with our aspiration and demands one by one.
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Don’t you think UT with legislature will cause more clash of powers?
Look, the Opposition has been creating narrative of UT with legislature citing that there is no representation of people in the power structure. This is absolute lie as Councillors in LAHDC, BDCs and Panchayat members are representative of people. They all are involved in decision making body. People will certainly get more role with appropriate time.
